The Northern Ireland Library Authority (Libraries NI) was established in April 2009 as a result of the Review of Public Administration. Libraries NI has the statutory responsibility for the provision of public library services in Northern Ireland. Its functions are laid down in the Libraries Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. It is a Non Departmental Public Body which reports to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. The Board of the Authority consists of a Chairperson and 18 Members, 11 of whom are Councillors, within the meaning of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972. All Board Members are appointed by the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure. The executive business of the Board is carried out by a team of officers under the leadership of the Chief Executive. The Executive Team is organised into 3 strategic units, each being led by a member of the Senior Management Team.

• Chief Executive’s Unit;

• Library Services;

• Business Support.
  
  Libraries NI organisational structure 
  
  Members of the Board

Public library services are delivered through a network of:

• Ninety-six branch libraries;

• Eighteen public mobile libraries;

• Ten Homecall Service vehicles;

• The Mellon Centre for Migration Studies based in the Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh;

• The Irish and Local Studies Library, Armagh

In the course of its duties Libraries NI has contact with:

• Children, young people and adults of all ages;

• Schools;

• The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure;

• Local Government Councils;

• Education and Library Boards;

• The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland;

• The Information Commissioner’s Office

• Service delivery partners.