Libraries NI and PRONI: A Partnership Bringing History to Communities

Libraries NI and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) have a long-standing relationship, formally recognised in 2017 through a Memorandum of Understanding. This partnership bridges the gap between archival expertise and local communities, ensuring wider access to historical resources and exhibitions.

With PRONI based in Belfast and Libraries NI’s extensive network of 98 public libraries, the collaboration brings history to life in local spaces. By sharing expertise and resources, more people get to explore the past in an accessible way.

One of the most visible impacts of this partnership is the use of libraries as exhibition and events spaces. Travelling exhibitions curated by PRONI give people from all corners of Northern Ireland a chance to engage with historical collections without having to travel to Belfast.

PRONI on Tour is our latest success story, bringing history straight to people's doorsteps. What started in May 2023 with Libraries NI hosting the original Belfast Agreement (Good Friday Agreement) document in Omagh, Derry Central and Belfast Central libraries, has grown into a wider programme, bringing archives, exhibitions, rare historical collections and family history expertise to local libraries.

During a PRONI on Tour event in Fivemiletown Library, Grace from PRONI’s Public Services Team highlighted the value of bringing archives directly to local communities. She described how workshops engaged both adults and children, with pupils from Fivemiletown Primary School exploring their own family tree and historical documents, including records from their own school dating back to the 1890s.

Even if just one child develops an interest in their local history, that’s a huge win," Grace shared. She emphasised the important role libraries play as community hubs, adding, "With so many locations across Northern Ireland, it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to step outside Belfast and bring historical documents directly to local communities, allowing them to connect with their own history up close."

She was also delighted by the diverse mix of attendees, noting that libraries welcome not just family history enthusiasts but also those with a general interest in local history – and even those who simply enjoy a curious browse through the fascinating documents on display.

Watch the full video to hear Grace share her thoughts on libraries and get a behind-the-scenes look at PRONI on Tour in action.