Consultation under way on plans to reduce opening hours at Glengormley Library

Libraries NI has launched a public consultation process regarding plans to reduce the opening hours at Glengormley Library.
Glengormley Library. (Archive pic)Glengormley Library. (Archive pic)
Glengormley Library. (Archive pic)

The organisation has proposed that the Carnmoney Road library’s opening hours should be reduced from 50 hours to 45 hours each week.

The proposal is part of a wider plan to cut hours at Libraries NI’s “14 busiest libraries”.

The consultation process, which is taking place from now until July 17, aims to identify the most suitable pattern of hours in the 14 libraries concerned.

The reduction in library opening hours forms part of an overall package of savings that Libraries NI needs to implement to help meet current budget demands.

Commenting on the cuts, chief executive of Libraries NI Irene Knox said: “This is not the ideal situation, however we must plan for and consider our budget for the year ahead. We will continue to liaise with staff, customers and stakeholders throughout this process and we will listen to any concerns raised. If our circumstances change, and additional funding is made available, then it will be used to minimise the reductions in library opening hours.”

Customers are being consulted about new opening hour patterns at the following libraries: Glengormley, Ballymena Central, Bangor Carnegie, Belfast Central, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Derry Central, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Finaghy, Lisburn City, Lurgan, Newry City and Omagh.

For the consultation, people are invited to complete a questionnaire which can be accessed at any of the 14 libraries affected, or online at www.librariesni.org.uk

Pending the outcome of the process, new patterns of library opening hours are likely to be implemented in November 2016.

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