Greystone Library

Oral Answers to Questions – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 3:00 pm on 25 February 2014.

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Photo of Paul Girvan Paul Girvan DUP 3:00, 25 February 2014

6. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for an update on the current status of Greystone library, Antrim. (AQO 5647/11-15)

Photo of Carál Ní Chuilín Carál Ní Chuilín Sinn Féin

I thank the Member for his question.  He will be aware that Libraries NI has been concerned for some time about the declining level of use of Greystone library and that the library had previously been marked for closure. 

In October 2013, the Libraries board reviewed the position regarding the viability of Greystone.  The review found that levels of use had continued to decline, despite an increase in the range of core activities offered by staff.  Quarterly meetings were held with the Greystone library action group, but attendance has declined substantially, with only one person coming to the meetings latterly.  In view of that, the Libraries board decided that all stakeholders, including the local community, should be informed of its concerns regarding usage of the library and that the position would be reviewed again in October this year.  Libraries subsequently wrote to all local representatives, churches, schools and community groups in the area last November advising them of the situation and seeking their views and ideas on improving usage.

Since then, Libraries has had a number of meetings with public representatives to discuss the issue.  A follow-up meeting with the MP for the area, Rev William McCrea, and local MLAs is being arranged at their request in March 2014 to further explore how Libraries might increase awareness and, indeed, improve engagement with the library and its users.

Photo of Paul Girvan Paul Girvan DUP

I thank the Minister for her answer.  I appreciate that I am involved in this.  From a departmental point of view, has there been any engagement with other Departments — I think particularly of DEL and the Department of Education — about encouraging usage and delivering the programmes that some of those Departments currently run?

Photo of Carál Ní Chuilín Carál Ní Chuilín Sinn Féin

I thank the Member for his question and, indeed, his ongoing concern about Greystone library, which, I appreciate, is in his constituency

I know that Libraries NI, the board, the chief executive and members of staff are very committed to ensuring that the library can host, facilitate and develop as many services as possible with other Departments.  They have done that.  They are working with the Department of Health on the better promotion of mental health; with DEL on employment opportunities; with members of DSD and local regeneration groups; and with local community groups, which may use the premises as a meeting place.  That happens particularly in rural areas where there is not a wide range of places that people can use.  They will work with anyone.

They do not want to see any library close; they want to make sure that the library's use and potential increases.  Not only have they demonstrated that but they are sincere in seeking views about how that can continue.

Photo of Roy Beggs Roy Beggs UUP 3:15, 25 February 2014

That is the end of questions for oral answer.  We now move on to topical questions.