Castlereagh East Alliance Councillor Judith Cochrane has said she is pleased that Tullycarnet Library will stay open but expressed annoyance at Libraries NI’s decision to close Gilnahirk library, saying its loss will have a negative impact on the community. She has campaigned for months to protect library services in the area.
Cllr Judith Cochrane said: “I am pleased that Libraries NI is keeping Tullycarnet library open, but I also expect to see definite plans to improve the mobile service in the Gilnahirk area given the decision to close the Gilnahirk library .
“Libraries can be the centrepoint of a community. They provide a meeting place for community groups and provide a platform for people to access training and develop their skills base.
“To improve people’s opportunities and maximise their potential, lifelong learning is essential, and the closure of libraries like Gilnahirk undermine these important efforts.
“We ran a strong campaign to safeguard services in the area and an Alliance delegation is planning to seek a meeting with the Head of Libraries NI to discuss these announcements.”
ENDS