Funding boost for local library services

It has been announced that almost £1.8 million has been released to enable Finaghy and Cookstown to create new library services and for Armagh’s branch library to get a major facelift.

In one of his last acts as a member of the present power-sharing executive, the now former Culture Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “For over 100 years, public libraries have been an integral part of life in the community and these cornerstones of society have served Northern Ireland well. In addition to being gateways to knowledge, they also fulfil many roles in delivering economic and social benefits to communities and provide essential support for schoolchildren and students.

“Since taking up office, I have had the pleasure of opening new libraries in Strathfoyle and Magherafelt and announcing new ones for Strabane, Castlederg and Ballymena. Now it is the turn of Finaghy and Cookstown to benefit."

The new facility at Finaghy, which is estimated to cost nearly £650,000, will be located in the grounds of the primary school being built by the Belfast Education and Library Board –work is expected to start in August next year.”

Cookstown should be in a position to start during the 2003/04 financial year while Armagh is likely to get off the ground later this year.

In Cookstown, the existing library was no longer capable of delivering a modern service but thanks to a partnership between East Tyrone College of Further and Higher Education and the Southern Board’s Library Service, a new library facility had been included in the plans for the Burn Road site in the town.

The work planned for Armagh Branch Library, a listed building, would include the provision of a lift and upgrading the existing stairs, stairwells and public toilets. It would also improve the study and reference areas as well as providing sufficient space to house ICT equipment.

Mr McGimpsey concluded: “While I am delighted to have been in a position to announce this funding today, I am acutely aware that there are many other libraries in Northern Ireland which are also in need of investment.

“I note that the Belfast Education and Library Board is currently considering the position of the libraries in Sandy Row and on the Lisburn Road. I welcome the Board’s plans to establish a working group to explore alternative options for library services in inner city areas, such as Sandy Row, and look forward to hearing the outcome of this exercise in due course."

(GMcG)