New opening hours for Libraries

The agreed patterns of opening hours have been developed following customer consultation in each library and these new hours will take effect from Wednesday 6th June 2012.

These hours have been agreed as a result of a Review of Opening Hours, which was undertaken to meet savings targets resulting from the Comprehensive Spending Review. It also presented Libraries NI with the opportunity to harmonise the opening hours of libraries across Northern Ireland for the very first time – and as a result of this exercise, libraries are now categorised into one of six opening hour bands, based on level of use.

Irene Knox, Chief Executive of Libraries NI, said: “I am aware that the Review of Opening Hours has been a lengthy process that has involved high levels of uncertainty but I am satisfied that the process of determining the pattern of opening hours for each library is now complete, following surveys in each location.

“The new opening hour patterns, to be implemented from 6th June, have been based on the principle that ‘the available hours should be used in a way that best meets customer need’ in each library.”

Details of the revised opening hours for all Libraries NI, can be found at www.librariesni.org.uk