Hours are cut by third at Richhill Library
RICHHILL Library is to have its opening hours reduced by just over a third, it was revealed this week with the publication of the long-awaited decision by Libraries NI.
The decision to cut the hours from 28.5 to 18 has been greeted with disappointment but acceptance by the Save Richhill Library support group, which was formed after it was initially proposed that the library be closed.
After several months of consultation with the public, it has also been decided that both Portadown and Armagh libraries will have their hours reduced by four per week, from 52.5 to 48; Brownlow will see its hours cut from 49.5 to 40 and Tandragee from 27 to 25. However, Lurgan Library’s hours will be increased from 53.5 to 57.
The cuts are not as bad as originally intended, after the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Minister Carál Ní Chuilín announced an extra £2.39m funding which eased the financial pressure on Libraries NI.
The board’s decision means that all public libraries across Northern Ireland are categorised into one of six bands, which determine the amount of hours opened and are based on level of use.
Richhill campaigner Myles McCormick said, “With a reduction of approximately 30 per cent, it is disappointing to lose such a large proportion of operational hours. We are still, however, grateful that the library board decided late last year to retain the library on proviso that essential criteria is met over a two-year period, and as many would agree, a reduced service is better than no service.
“A positive result from last year’s consultation is that Libraries NI management and members of the community have formed a support committee, and we now have the opportunity to work together to ensure that the best service that Richhill library can offer is delivered with the operational times that are available.”
He said a review of the most suitable opening times will be carried out with members of the community. “We would encourage everyone to engage at any opportunity in this regard. The revised opening hours will be based on this review and as a support committee we want to accommodate as many people as possible,” he added.
Newry & Armagh DUP Assembly member Cllr William Irwin described the reduction from 28.5 hours to 18 as “unwelcome”. He said, “Obviously this is disappointing given the very successful campaign to keep the facility open and I feel that the cut of 10.5 hours is quite a significant reduction given the great usage of the library in the village.
“It is my understanding that further consultation will take place with staff and users alike on these new arrangements which Libraries NI state will come into effect in June 2012 and I would certainly advise anyone who is unhappy with the arrangements to make their voice heard.”
FAIR
Irene Knox, chief executive of Libraries NI, said, “The new proposals, approved by the board, provide for a more equitable distribution of hours across Northern Ireland and are based on usage. They also take account of many of the concerns expressed by people who responded to the consultation.
“We will now engage with local customers in each library affected to develop new patterns of opening hours and we will aim to be fair to customers, to libraries and to our staff.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portadown
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
