Delight for campaigners: No reduction in opening hours at Derry's Central Library

The opening hours of Derry’s main library will not be reduced, it has been announced.

The Central Library in Foyle Street was one of a number of libraries across the North which had been earmarked for a reduction in its operating hours.

Communities Minister. Paul Givan announced today that he would be providing Libraries NI with additional funding of £225,000 which would ensure the proposed reduction in library opening hours will not now go ahead.

The news will delight local campaigners who were against the cuts.

A public consultation on reducing opening hours was completed by Libraries NI, the outcome of which recently closed with over 8,000 responses received.

The additional money will mean that Libraries NI will no longer need to consider imposing reduced opening hours in 14 of its busiest libraries.

The Minister said: “The views of people are important in any public consultation and the responses received during the Libraries NI consultation has been clearly heard, both by the organisation and by me as Minister.

“People care deeply about this important resource based in their local communities which is why I am delighted to be in a position to announce this additional funding of £225,000.

"This money will allow Libraries NI to address some of the financial pressures that the organisation like so many others are currently facing.”

Campaigners protesting outside the Central Library at plans to reduce its opening hours.