Cloughfern Library escapes the axe

While facilities at Whitewell, Ligoniel and Oldpark will be closed, Cloughfern Library has been given a reprieve by the Board of Libraries NI.

There had been serious concern about the future of the King's Crescent library after it was earmarked for possible closure earlier this year as part of a review of services by Libraries NI. However, after a campaign calling for the busy facility to be retained, it was confirmed last week that it will remain open - a decision that has delighted staff at the branch and library users.

Welcoming the Board's announcement, North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said: "I was able to highlight to Libraries NI that their own statistics for usage and maintenance costs did not provide clear grounds for closure; in fact there was a strong case for keeping it open. I am delighted that the Board has concurred with this view. This library is well located in the heart of a residential area, next to local shops and King's Park Primary School. The way is now clear for it to be further developed in order to meet future needs."

Alliance councillor Billy Webb added: "I welcome the fact that, following our work with local library users and the representations which were made to Libraries NI, the proposal to close the library at Cloughfern has been abandoned, and I hope that the long-term future of this branch has now been secured by this decision."

East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson said that the case for closing Cloughfern Library simply didn't stack up, adding that the move to keep it open is good news for its more than 900 active members and the wider community.

"This was the right decision made by Libraries NI and I am pleased to see that they have listened to the points of view that were made by myself, my colleagues and by library users," he said.

Also welcoming the decision to retain the Cloughfern branch was East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson, who was among those who campaigned against any possible closure move.

"My arguments highlighted the facts that Cloughfern Library has low overheads, steady usage figures and is available and accessible to all sections of the community due to its location. It also sits beside King's Park Primary School and is close to St James' Primary School and local shops which form the core of its catchment area.

"This announcement is also a positive response to the local community's wishes. However, the battle is not yet over. I would now urge as many people as possible, young and old, to enrol in this library branch. This practical step will help to further boost its lending figures. Not only will they personally benefit from an excellent library service, but they will also help to ensure that if Libraries NI return at some point in the future with further closure proposals for branch libraries Cloughfern will be secure in terms of usage and community provision," the UUP man commented.