Budget cuts force local libraries to change opening hours

From Monday November 3, opening hours in a number of libraries will be reduced or will operate with a different pattern.

The temporary reduction in opening hours is one of the measures that has been implemented to make £1.4 million of savings by March 2015 as a result of the Libraries NI budget being cut by 4.4%.

Both Coleraine and Portrush libraries are affected:

Coleraine Library

Monday: 9:30am – 8:00pm; Tuesday: 9:30am – 6:00pm; Wednesday: 9:30am – 8:00pm; Thursday: 9:30am – 6:00pm; Friday: 9:30am – 5:00pm; Saturday: 9:30am – 5:00pm

Portrush Library

Monday: 9:30am – 5:30pm; Tuesday: 1:00pm – 7:30pm; Wednesday: 9:30am – 5:30pm; Thursday: 9:30am – 5:30pm; Friday: 9:30am – 1:15pm; Saturday: 9:30am – 1:15pm

Staffing levels in all libraries have been reviewed to ensure they remain open at busiest times and to prevent disruption to core services and programmes. Every effort will be made to adhere to the published temporary opening hours. However, temporary ad hoc closures or changes to opening hours may occur. Advance notice will be given where possible. Customers are asked, if in doubt, to check the Libraries NI website for the latest information or to telephone their local library.

Irene Knox, Libraries NI Chief Executive said: “Reduced opening hours will be very difficult for our customers and our staff and we deeply regret having to take this course of action. The impact of these changes cannot be minimised as many in society now rely on the Wi-Fi access, new computer equipment and faster broadband connections available in all libraries.

“I am grateful to all of the staff in Libraries NI who have worked together in a very positive manner over the last month to reorganise their rotas to facilitate these revised opening hours. This is a difficult time for everyone involved, but I know that library staff will continue to do everything that they can to provide high quality services for our customers.”

For a full list of libraries affected by these changes go to www.librariesni.org.uk