Newry City Library will close on the 23rd December for refurbishment and the work will take approximately three months to complete.

The renovations will improve the accessibility and layout of the library whilst enhancing the service offering to customers. This investment will provide the local community with a modern library capable of delivering all of Libraries NI’s services. This work once completed will strengthen Newry City Library’s position as a hub for reading, culture, heritage, information and learning.

Following consultation with customers, Libraries NI has agreed to extend the weekly opening hours of Bessbrook Library by 27 hours and Warrenpoint Library by 6 hours. During the refurbishment from 4th January 2011, Bessbrook Library’s opening hours will be extending to: 10am - 8pm Monday, 10am – 8 pm Tuesday, 10am – 5pm Wednesday, 10am – 8pm Thursday, 10 am – 5pm Friday and 9.30am – 5 pm on Saturday.

Warrenpoint Library is currently open 47 hours per week and from 4th January 2011 the extended opening hours will be: 10am – 8pm Monday,10am – 8pm Tuesday, 10am – 6 pm Wednesday, 10am – 8pm Thursday,10am – 6pm Friday and 10am – 5pm on Saturday.

In addition a temporary mobile library service will operate in and around Newry city centre to support those customers unable to travel to Bessbrook or Warrenpoint Libraries. The mobile service, which begins on the 4th January 2011, will call at Bagenal’s Castle Newry Museum and will then move around local community centres to facilitate greater engagement in the Newry Neighbourhood Renewal Area. The mobile stops will be as follows: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am – 4pm Bagenal’s Castle Museum; Thursday 10am -12.30pm Mourneview Community House, 1.30pm – 4pm Three Ways Community Centre; and Friday 10am – 12.30pm Whitegates Community Centre followed by 1.30pm – 4pm Parkhead Crescent, Carnagat.

Rosemarie Loughran, Newry City Library Branch Manager said:
“I would like to apologise to customers in advance for any disruption that the refurbishment may cause. I know that Newry Library customers are very supportive of the planned improvements and the staff will continue to keep customers informed as plans progress. I hope that everyone embraces this exciting new development for both the library and the city of Newry.”