West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Maskey opposes decision to proceed with Andersonstown library closure

Published: 11 June, 2010

Paul Maskey MLA

Paul Maskey MLA

Sinn Féin West Belfast MLA Paul Maskey has expressed his disappointment following his meeting last Tuesday (June 8) with Chief Executive of Libraries NI Irene Knox regarding the future of Andersonstown Library. Mr Maskey urged the local community to back the community picket to be held tomorrow in opposition to the closure (Saturday 12 June, 12 noon, Andersonstown Leisure Centre).

As part of its review of library services in Belfast, Libraries NI had announced that the Andersonstown Library is to close on June 30.

Mr Maskey said: "At the meeting I urged Libraries NI to reverse its decision and to ensure that suitable library services are provided in the Andersonstown area. Ms Knox assured me that the request to keep the library open would be considered.

"However, Ms Knox has since informed me that following a discussion on the issue - not on the Libraries NI board but between her and two members of her office staff - the closure is to proceed on June 30.

"There is widespread opposition among the community to the closure of the library and there are no concrete plans to ensure alternative library provisions are in place before, or indeed after, the closure.

"Last year over 30,000 people visited this branch and to remove this service from the area without having an alternative service in place would be a big mistake. It appears that the needs and expressed wishes of the local community have been completely ignored by Libraries NI. This is unacceptable."

Mr Maskey has urged the Andersonstown community to back the campaign for adequate library provision in the area.

He said: "Sinn Féin will work with the local community to resist the closure of the library while alternative services have not been introduced. We will be participating in the community picket against the closure tomorrow and urge all those concerned over this decision to come along.

"We will continue to explore all available options to stop this closure from going ahead in such circumstances."

* To sign the petition against the closure please go to http://www.petitiononline.com/SOLC/petition.html