Ulster Gazette - News - Library hours cut reduced

News

Library hours cut reduced

Thursday, 26 January 2012

A REDUCTION in the number of opening hours at libraries across the Armagh area has not been as stringent as initially feared.
Concerns had first been raised last September after Libraries NI announced library provision in the district could face severe cuts, with a proposal to reduce opening hours at Armagh Library by as much as from 52.5 to 40 hours.
In outlying areas such as Tandragee, the plan had been to cut provision from 27 to 18 hours, while Richhill Library had faced a reduction from 28.5 hours to 18.
Crossmaglen and Bessbrook Libraries had also been looking at the prospect of having hours reduced from 27.5 and 24.5 hours respectively to 18.
However, following a widespread consultation, Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Carál Ní Chuilín announced additional funding of £2.39 million at the eleventh hour last Monday, and approved revised proposals arising from the Review of Opening Hours across Northern Ireland.
As a result of the additional money, Armagh Library will now see a reduction of 4.5 hours to 48, while provision in Tandragee will witness opening hours reduced by two, from 27 to 25 hours.
The biggest reduction in opening hours is to be experienced at Richhill Library, after it emerged provision in the village is to be reduced from 28.5 hours to 18.
Keady Library is to remain unchanged, with opening times set to stay at 33 hours, while Crossmaglen is to have its facility slashed by 9.5 hours to 18.
The only facility in the Armagh area to experience an increase in opening hours is Bessbrook, which is to have its library provision increased from 24.5 hours to 25 hours.
While a reduction in hours at the majority of the district's libraries is not as bad as had first been predicted, Richhill Library campaigner Myles McCormack has expressed disappointment that the village has suffered the biggest cut in hours.
“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.
“A review of the most suitable opening times will be carried out with members of the community, and 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," added Mr McCormack.
Newry and Armagh DUP Assemblyman and Councillor William Irwin has also spoken of his concern that Richhill Library, which had been saved from closure last October, is to face a cut in opening times of 10.5 hours per week.
“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.
“I am particularly concerned that Richhill is one of the libraries seeing the biggest slash in opening times and I will be liaising with the local campaign group to make further representations to Libraries NI."
Cusher DUP Councillors Gareth Wilson and Terry McWilliams have welcomed a major rethink on library opening hours which would affect the local library provision in Tandragee.
According to both representatives, Libraries NI's initial proposals to reduce hours at Tandragee by nine had caused much concern to staff and local users.
However, with the injection of cash, the opening hours proposal at Tandragee is for a cut of two hours per week, as opposed to the original proposal.
Councillor Wilson said the move, while welcomed, still represented a cut in hours at a vital public service facility.
“On the one hand I certainly welcome the decision to review the original proposal, which was going to mean a cut in opening times of nine hours. Having spoken to the local librarian, it was something that was concerning staff and users alike."
“Although it is still concerning that a cut in hours is being proposed at all, a two hour reduction is certainly not as catastrophic as a nine hour reduction," he added.
Councillor McWilliams described local libraries as a "valued part of society" and facilities that are used extensively by many groups of people, no less by school children.
“Tandragee Library has almost 1,500 active members, with around 23,000 visits per year, so it is clear that it is a vital resource. It has been operating for many years and to think it may have been forced to reduce its services by nine hours was concerning.
“I believe more discussion will be taking place following these new proposals and I would appeal to local people to continue using this important facility in the town."
Meanwhile, Fews Ulster Unionist Councillor David Taylor has welcomed Libraries NI decision to reverse its proposal to reduce Bessbrook Library's opening hours.
Councillor Taylor said the decision to increase Bessbrook Library's opening hours by half an hour would be warmly welcomed in the local community, particularly following the widespread concern which existed at the previous proposal to reduce the facility's opening hours.
He also stated that the move would further enhance the high level of service currently provided by staff at Bessbrook Library and ensure that it continued to serve as a focal point for the local community.
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley - a member of the Assembly's Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee - has urged the Minister to ensure a proper library service is maintained for communities.
“Over the past number of months I have listened to the concerns of library users about the proposed reduction in library opening hours and, as a result, very much welcome the Minister's decision.
“I worked with people to form a petition on the issue and submitted it to the Speaker of the Assembly, on behalf of library users in Bessbrook and other people throughout the North," he added.