Wednesday 23rd November marked the official opening of Carrickfergus Library (2 Joymount Court) which reopened in March 2011, after a huge refurbishment programme which lasted seven months and cost £1.1million.
To mark the official opening, a celebration was held in the library and was attended by an array of high profile dignitaries, including special guest, Sammy Wilson MP MLA, who performed the official opening of the library. Other dignitaries included Hubert Nicholl, Vice-chair of Libraries NI; Alderman Mrs May Beattie, representing Carrickfergus Borough Council; Declan Carville, children’s author; and Irene Knox, Chief Executive of Libraries NI.
As guests arrived for the opening, they enjoyed music performed by the East Antrim Traditional Music School.
Irene Knox welcomed guests to the library and invited Sammy Wilson MP MLA to officially open the library, adding:
“Since reopening in March, Carrickfergus Library has been a success with over 68,155 visitors to the library in 8 months and the feedback we have received has been most positive. Libraries NI has demonstrated a commitment to making libraries the centre of their local communities and this library provides a much needed service to people living in and around Carrickfergus.
“I know that in the coming years the library will continue to be a welcome and valuable service for all people living in the area and I would encourage everyone to become active members of the library and avail of the many free services on offer.”
Sammy Wilson MP MLA expressed his delight at being asked to officiate at the opening of the library and unveiled a plaque marking the occasion.
Alderman Mrs May Beattie, representing Carrickfergus Borough Council, then spoke of the valuable contribution which libraries make to society and to local community life.
Other guests at this event included the architects, contractor, Libraries NI Board members, Carrickfergus Borough Council representatives, others involved in helping create this refurbished library and other Libraries NI staff. Primary 3 pupils from Saint Nicholas’ Primary School also came along and enjoyed meeting local children’s author Declan Carville.
These visitors were most impressed by the high standard of refurbishment work undertaken, which included new shelving, carpet, furniture and repainting throughout, resulting in a much improved Carrickfergus Library, which now offers extended space for a range of services.
The library offers long opening hours, contains well-stocked bookshelves, and offers readers the chance to call in and quickly borrow the latest popular books available. Library members can also borrow the latest DVDs and CDs and the library has been re-zoned with designated children’s and study areas. It also features a Learning Centre, which can host courses, as well as offer an increased number of computers, with internet access, for library members to use for free.
For local businesses and organisations, there is a refurbished meetings room which can be hired at very competitive rates and a refreshment area has also been included in the library design, to make a visit to the library complete. Furthermore, the library has been designed to be accessible for all – featuring automatic doors, a disabled toilet and a toilet with baby changing facilities.
Lynn Buick, Operational Manager with Libraries NI, comments:
“Carrickfergus Library has something for everyone, offering study and quiet areas, where you can sit and relax while reading a book or a magazine and look out the windows at the scenic views of Carrickfergus Castle and Belfast Lough. The staff of Carrickfergus Library will be delighted to welcome new and existing library users and will do all they can to ensure that your library visit is a successful and enjoyable one.”
To become a new library member, simply bring along a means of identification (which includes a home address) and then you can make use of the many free membership benefits.
Carrickfergus Library’s opening hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.30am – 8.00pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 9.30am – 5.00pm.
For further information, telephone 028 9336 2261 or email carrickfergus.library@librariesni.org.uk
