At its meeting yesterday the Board of Libraries NI agreed to undertake a public consultation exercise on the organisation’s vision for the public library service in the Greater Belfast Area.   

Announcing the consultation, Dr David Elliott, Chairperson of Libraries NI, said:
“With the formation of Libraries NI in April 2009 there is now a single organisation with responsibility for all public libraries across Northern Ireland.  In that context, it makes sense to undertake a full evaluation of our services and to seek the public’s views on proposals for the way forward.  This is the first time in the history of the public library service in Northern Ireland that such a review is possible since we are not constrained by the boundaries of the Education and Library Boards which had responsibility only for services within their own geographical areas.  As a first stage in the process options for service delivery in Greater Belfast are being considered.”

Irene Knox, Chief Executive of Libraries NI, added:
“Our vision for the public library service is an exciting one.  We believe that libraries have a key role to play in communities, as centres where people of all ages can receive support with learning, access information, explore their cultural heritage or simply spend an enjoyable time reading and choosing books or CDs.  We need to be able to provide a greater range of books and other resources, open longer hours and have attractive, welcoming, well-designed and equipped buildings that people will want to visit.  In order to realise that vision we want to develop a network of community and flagship libraries across Greater Belfast with enhanced stock and services.  This would include a programme of planned investment in the library estate.  It also means, however, that we have to consider whether there are some libraries that are no longer fit for purpose and which might need to close. If this should be the case Libraries NI will look at alternative ways of providing services.”

The public consultation will run from 11th January – 5th April 2010 and will include an Equality Impact Assessment. During that time a series of public meetings will be held and survey questionnaires will be available in libraries in the Greater Belfast area as well as online on the Libraries NI website (www.librariesni.org.uk).  The dates, times and venues for the meetings will be published in the press and on the Libraries NI website in due course.

David Elliott concluded:
“We want to hear the views of the public and would emphasise that no decisions will be made until the Libraries NI Board has had an opportunity to consider carefully what people tell us.  We would encourage users and non-users of the public library service to engage with us in this review.”