Rural libraries escape slashed hours

Sarah Saunderson • Published 20 Jan 2012 11:50

Rural libraries in Lisnaskea and Irvinestown are not to have their hours cut in a reversal of fortunes following a consultation which had signalled reduced opening times last year.

Enniskillen Library's hours are to be reduced from 59 to 57 hours a week.

The Libraries NI Board has approved revised proposals arising from the Review of Opening Hours across Northern Ireland.

Initially proposals were that Irvinestown and Lisnaskea were to have their opening hours reduced from 30 to 18 a week. This proposed change is not going to be implemented.

Additional money from the government has eased financial pressure on Libraries NI and means that library opening hours do not need to be reduced to the same level as originally proposed to meet savings targets resulting from the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Nigel Macartney, Chairperson of Libraries NI, said:

"The Minister Carál Ní Chuilínshares the views of the many thousands of people who responded to the public consultation that Libraries are an important public service with an essential role in the heart of our communities. The Minister and her officials have received regular briefings from myself and the Libraries NI Chief Executive in the past number of weeks. We are grateful for her support and the additional funding that has been provided. The Board welcomed the amended proposals as the impact on library opening hours and consequently on library users has been reduced".

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