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

Ramsey alarmed at library closure reports

Published: 10 July, 2008

Sinn Féin MLA Sue Ramsey has expressed alarm at claims that the Belfast Education and Library Service may introduce proposals that would lead to the closure of eleven libraries across Belfast, including the Andersonstown and Suffolk libraries in west Belfast.

Ms Ramsey said:

''I am alarmed at reports that there are proposals to close 11 libraries across Belfast, including the Andersonstown and Suffolk libraries in west Belfast."

''It is clear that library services need improvement.

''That requires greater investment.

''In fact, investment in Library Services in areas of greatest social need is an issue which Sinn Féin has already raised with the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, which is responsible for funding libraries.

''Instead, it now seems a plan has been devised to close libraries and reduce services, with impact on library staff and the local community. "

''There are crucial questions which the Department and the Board will have to answer before this goes any further.

''Sinn Féin believes that any proposals should be the subject of proper and effective consultation with library staff and with the local community who avail of the service.

''In this case, that consultation has not been done.

''We will want to establish what account has been taken of the impact of any proposed closures on staff and on the local community, especially the elderly and children. "

"The Department of Culture Arts and Leisure is directly responsible for the funding allocation to libraries.

''Therefore, we need to know what representations or communications took place between Department officials and Board officials about the proposals now being brought forward.

''Certainly, Sinn Féin Assembly members in west Belfast were not consulted. Neither was the local community.

''In fact, I think many people in the greater Andersonstown area would like to see investment in a bigger and better, new library in this area. "

"Sinn Féin has already been in contact with senior officials for the Belfast Education and Library Board to question the facts of the situation and the basis for any proposals.

''We will also be contacting the Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure Gregory Campbell to demand that greater funding is required for local libraries, not less, to meet the greater social need in communities like ours.

''We call on everyone to join with us in that demand."