STAND UP FOR YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY!

IF you value your local library then spell it out to the Culture Minister that you do! That’s the message from East Londonderry Assembly member David McClarty who is urging local people to stand up for their local library or face the risk of ultimately losing it. Mr. McClarty said: “David Hanson is asking for the public’s thoughts on the way forward for library services and considering there has been extreme pressure put on local services, this is the ideal opportunity for people to let the Minister know just how important the library is to them. “Don’t leave it hoping that others will act, take the initiative and write to the Minister about what way you think the library service in your area should be shaped for the future. “The library service is of great value to smaller communities. Libraries are focal points of their communities, valuable centres of learning and we have seen in the recent past that the Government is prepared to let Library Boards close them wholesale across the North East region. “We saw how big a fight was required to save Garvagh Library from the threat of closure. Coleraine is soon to get a new building and it is imperative that people show they care about what services their libraries will offer in the future. “The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister has said that libraries should be customer focused, inviting and welcoming, used for leisure, pleasure and inspiration as well as for learning. “People have a real opportunity here to stand up for their library. If they don’t they send out the wrong message to the Minister. “That is why I want members of the public to get involved in the Department’s current consultation exercise.” Members of the public can put their views in writing to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure at: Libraries Branch, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Interpoint, 20-24 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AQ or email: david.polley@dcalni.gov.uk The closing date for receipt of responses is 31 January 2006.

10 Jan 2006 by Editor 1195 comments