At its meeting today (Thursday 9th December) the Board of Libraries NI agreed to undertake a public consultation exercise on the proposals arising from the second stage of the Strategic Review of public library provision.

During the first stage of the review, which focused on the Greater Belfast area, the public consultation process found that 70 per cent of respondents agreed with Libraries NI’s vision for a 21st Century library service. This endorsement is the foundation for the second stage of the review which examines public library provision throughout the rest of Northern Ireland.

The 77 libraries included in the review have been analysed in terms of fitness for purpose, potential to deliver library services in the 21st century, location and sustainability. These four criteria include consideration of issues such as usage, running costs, distance to other libraries and condition of the building.

The review found that the vast majority of libraries are well-used and sustainable into the future, although some will require development and investment to improve facilities and in one casewe are proposing to combine two libraries into one bigger facility. Ten libraries have been judged potentially unsustainable; these are Carnlough, Draperstown, Fintona, Gilford, Greystone, Kells and Connor, Killyleagh, Moneymore, Moy and Richhill.

Announcing the public 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. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) has set targets for Libraries NI in relation to a strategic review of the library estate. We have completed the review in Greater Belfast and, while we know that it was difficult for some people, there has been a positive impact on the levels of use of the libraries that were retained.  We are now engaging in a public consultation exercise in relation to our proposals for libraries in the rest of Northern Ireland.”

Irene Knox, Chief Executive ofLibraries NI, added:

“We believe that libraries have a key role to play, 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.  However it is imperative that we take a realistic view of libraries that are potentially not fit for purpose or unsustainable in terms of future costs in order to maximise our use of resources, particularly at this difficult time financially.  Where we have invested in new libraries like Antrim and Dungiven we have seen an increase in membership figures and a growing interest from the community.”

The public consultation will run for a 12 week period commencing on 10 January 2011. During that time a series of public meetings will be held and survey questionnaires will be made available. 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.”