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01/06/2005
NEELB confirm nine library closures
The North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) has confirmed that nine libraries are to close as part of cost cutting measures.
Ahoghill, Ballee, Bellaghy, Bushmills, Castlerock, Cloughmills, Cullybackey, Monkstown and Templepatrick will all shut in the coming months. However, libraries at Broughshane, Carnlough and Garvagh have been saved from closure.
The NEELB said that all employees affected by the closures would be redeployed elsewhere.
Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Culture and Arts David Hanson said the decision to close the affected libraries was “difficult” and “hard”.
“It is important to remember that the North Eastern Education and Library Board currently has 37 libraries compared with between 16 and 25 in each of the other four Board areas,” the Minister said.
“I welcome the fact that library services will not be removed in any area, but as a result of the findings of its own recent consultation exercise, the Board will be supplying the service in a different, more cost effective way.”
Mr Hanson confirmed that his Department was working on developing a new Policy Framework for the public library service across Northern Ireland which he hoped would provide guiding principles and priorities for its future development.
(MB)
Ahoghill, Ballee, Bellaghy, Bushmills, Castlerock, Cloughmills, Cullybackey, Monkstown and Templepatrick will all shut in the coming months. However, libraries at Broughshane, Carnlough and Garvagh have been saved from closure.
The NEELB said that all employees affected by the closures would be redeployed elsewhere.
Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Culture and Arts David Hanson said the decision to close the affected libraries was “difficult” and “hard”.
“It is important to remember that the North Eastern Education and Library Board currently has 37 libraries compared with between 16 and 25 in each of the other four Board areas,” the Minister said.
“I welcome the fact that library services will not be removed in any area, but as a result of the findings of its own recent consultation exercise, the Board will be supplying the service in a different, more cost effective way.”
Mr Hanson confirmed that his Department was working on developing a new Policy Framework for the public library service across Northern Ireland which he hoped would provide guiding principles and priorities for its future development.
(MB)
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