A Lisnaskea resident is appealing for the creation of a disabled parking space directly outside Lisnaskea’s new state of the art library, which was officially opened in June this year.

“Definitely it’s needed,” says Florence Creighton, who would like to see the space located outside the doors of the new centrally located £1.67m library, to facilitate users who require easier access.

“I feel there is plenty of space for the creation of one,” said Florence, who is a regular user of the new premises, where she goes along to the weekly Knit and Natter group, whose members meet on Thursdays, from 11am to 12.30pm.

In particular, Florence feels the disabled parking space would facilitate those with visual impairments and those who are less mobile.

“I feel it would help library users,” says Florence, who explained that she gives a lift to a woman with a visual impairment who attends the Knit and Natter group; she highlights the need for the disabled parking space in order to ‘get close to the library’ to facilitate people like Carol Sommerville.

“There are a number of ladies who find it difficult to walk from the car park,” mentioned Florence, who stresses the need for the disabled space to be directly outside the library.

She is of the view it’s definitely needed and she mentioned this week that she has pointed this out to a number of politicians.

Florence points out there is a number of disabled car parking spaces on Main Street, but she feels they are ‘not convenient to the library’ and it still would be ‘far for them to walk.’ She also notes there is one across the street, however she highlights the dangers of crossing the road.

Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, officially opened the new Lisnaskea Library in its new location on Main Street on June 18, 2015. The £1.67million project was funded by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL).

Located in the centre of the town, the new premises replaces an older library which was situated on a steep hill at Drumhaw since 1975. Previously it had been sited in the old Market House on Main Street.

“These new premises which are much larger than the previous one, reflect the changing nature of libraries in our society,” said the Minister, adding: “They are modern, educational, social and creative centres, offering welcoming facilities which are open to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.” Speaking at the event, which was seen as celebrating a new chapter at Lisnaskea Library, Carál Ní Chuilín said she wanted “to reinforce the valuable contribution libraries make in many areas of people’s lives.” Irene Knox, Chief Executive of Libraries NI, who welcomed guests to the opening, noted that the new build transformed the library into a modern, bright, well-equipped space which would provide a community hub of people in Lisnaskea and the surrounding area.

The new premises opened to the public on Wednesday, April 8.