Enniskillen Library will have its opening hours cut for the second time in 19 months, if proposals from Libraries NI go ahead.
A local campaign group has been established to oppose the plans to cut opening times from 50 to 45 hours per week at Northern Ireland’s 14 busiest libraries, which includes Enniskillen. A public consultation on the matter is underway until July 17.
In November 2014 late evening openings in Enniskillen Library were reduced from three evenings to one.
Libraries NI has stated: “Libraries NI is obliged to make savings of £2.2 million (7.28 per cent) in 2016/17. In order to live within budget the opening hours of Enniskillen Library will be reduced to 45 hours per week in November 2016. We are seeking your opinion on when you would use this library.” The consultation provides a table with five different opening hour patterns for Enniskillen Library which each make up 45 hours per week and asks respondents to chose their top three preferences.
Meanwhile, Donal O’Cofaigh, spokesman for the ‘Hands Off Enniskillen Library’ campaign group, has stated: “Enniskillen library is a vital resource for students. Cutting its opening hours represents an attack on educational provision in our county which will affect all communities.
“Many individuals who don’t have internet access at home are reliant on library facilities for accessing internet or computing and will be impacted heavily. This cut-back really targets the most vulnerable.”
He continued: “The campaign is calling on all political representatives to make clear their stance on cuts to opening hours and to publicly back the retention of full-library services in Enniskillen.”
The Enniskillen campaigners took part in a day of action against the cuts on Saturday, endorsed by Unite the Union. They gathered 500 signatures on their petition which calls for Minister for Communities Paul Givan and the Northern Ireland Executive “to make the necessary funds available to maintain our library services.”
‘Hands Off Enniskillen library’ will hold a protest against the cuts at Enniskillen Library this Saturday, June 25 at 1pm, where the wider public will be asked to sign the petition.
The Impartial Reporter asked library users for their thoughts on the planned cuts to opening hours.

VOX POP:

Patricia and Brian Webb, Belfast

Brian: “Libraries are very important, especially for those who are job seeking, or people who are newly moved into the community to find out what’s available to the public, without having to go to a tourist information centre and there’s no cost. It’s good to have the odd late night so that people who are working during the day have a chance to use its services. I don’t agree with Libraries NI’s claim that it has to cut £2 million. If there was far less paid to the MLAs and their SPADs (Special Political Advisors) there would be more money for our libraries. A library is a community information hub.”

Patricia: (a recently retired librarian): “The busiest libraries are being hit the hardest. 
“Libraries are also important for the local studies collection, an area that a lot more people are becoming interested in.
“Libraries are great for people who are retired. It’s nice to have somewhere you can have free access to classes and books.”

David Fallows, Irvinestown

“I only use the library now and again. The proposal to cut five hours a week seems ok but some people might be opposed to the idea. A library should be there for a community whenever they need it; it’s a vital service, especially for school children.”

Coral Merchan, Enniskillen

“The proposals are bad because I come here a lot, usually in the mornings. They close early on a Saturday.
“I use it for the computer, the WiFi and books.
“I think it’s important for people to oppose the planned cuts. 
“It would be bad for all the students who are in there studying.”

John Monaghan, Enniskillen

“I feel really bad about these planned cuts. This library is a wonderful resource for the whole community.
“ I am a member of Fermanagh Writers’ Group and we regularly hold meetings here. I also use it personally to loan books. When I first came to Fermanagh and had no internet connection I used the library all the time. It’s full of young people and retired people. They would really be affected if the hours were cut.”