Alliance delighted that there will be no cut in hours at Cregagh library

Alliance Castlereagh Councillors Michael Long and Carole Howard have welcomed the news from Libraries NI that the proposals to cut the opening hours of Cregagh library have been dropped. Alliance representatives mounted a campaign over the past few months to halt the proposals including meeting with the Chief Executive of Libraries Ni, helping to promote an Open Day in November and organizing a petition of support for the library.

Cllr Michael Long said: “I am delighted that there will be no reduction in the opening hours of Cregagh library as it is a vital resource for the local community and any cut in its opening hours may have had consequences for its long-term future.

“We are pleased that our campaign has met with such a positive outcome as we have worked with Libraries NI to promote services at the library and ensure that the cut in hours would not proceed. Our team from across East and South Belfast have actively taken part in promoting and participating in events such as the Open Day and we believe that campaigns like ours across Northern Ireland, helped to persuade the Minister to make her decision to increase funding for libraries, which we warmly welcome.

“As someone who regularly used Cregagh as a child, I am pleased that other people will continue to benefit from a full time service at this library.”

Cllr. Howard added, “I had asked Castlereagh Council to write to Libraries NI to make it clear that the Council also supported the retention of Cregagh’s opening hours and we are pleased with their response to the consultation.

“I would now encourage local people to make use of the service to ensure that Cregagh escapes any future cuts in services and Alliance is committed to working with Libraries NI to ensure that the service at library is maintained and improved in the coming years.”

ENDS