on December 31st for refurbishment and the work will take approximately three months to complete.
The renovations will improve the accessibility and layout of the library whilst enhancing the service offering to customers. This investment will provide the local community with a modern library capable of delivering all of Libraries NI’s services. This work once completed will strengthen Ballynahinch Library’s position as a hub for reading, culture, heritage, information and learning.
However, the mounting public concern about the threatened closure of the Killyleagh Library – Killyleagh being the home town of  Sir Hans Sloan, the founder of the British Museum in London – has led to public clamour in the County Down town.
Rowallene Councillor Billy Walker has welcomed the upgrading of the Ballynahinch branch library, and said, “I am delighted that this library is being improved. It will be a great benefit to the local community.
“I welcome any improvements to local library services, however, our concern remains in Killyleagh where the future of the library is under review. Strangford MP Jim Shannon and myself will be having a meeting with the Libararies Chief Executive Irene Knox and we will be strongly requesting that when there is a public meeting on this matter that it is held in the Bridge Centre in Killyleagh, a venue which is accessible to where local people.
“The closure threat to the Killyleagh Library is of considerable concern to the local community and we will be making representation to the DCAL Minister Nelson McCausland explaining that it is not practicable for the people of Killyeagh to get to other centres such as Downpatrick and Saintfield to find a library.”
The public consultation begins on January 10th and lasts for 12 weeks.
Following recent consultation with customers, Libraries NI has agreed to extend the weekly opening hours of Saintfield Library by 6 hours and Carryduff Library by 6 hours.
From 10th January 2011, Saintfield Library’s opening hours will be: Monday 10am – 4pm, Tuesday 2pm – 8pm, Wednesday closed, Thursday 2pm – 8pm, Friday 10am -1pm and 2pm -5pm, Saturday 10am -1pm and Carryduff Library’s opening hours will be: Monday 2pm – 8pm, Tuesday 10am – 4pm, Wednesday 2pm – 8pm, Thursday closed, Friday 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm, Saturday 10 – 1
In addition a temporary mobile library service will operate in Ballynahinch based at Library Headquarters car park, Windmill Hill to support those customers unable to travel to Saintfield or Carryduff Libraries. The mobile service, which begins on the 10th January 2011, will operate from 10am – 4pm on the following dates: Monday 10th January, Wednesday 19th January, Tuesday 25th January, Monday 31st January,
Wednesday 9th February, Tuesday 15th February, Monday 21st February, Wednesday 2nd March, Tuesday 8th March, Monday 14th March, Wednesday 23rd March and Tuesday 29th March.
Roberta Adair, Ballynahinch Library Branch Manager said, “I would like to apologise to customers in advance for any disruption that the refurbishment may cause. I know that Ballynahinch Library customers are very supportive of the planned improvements and the staff will continue to keep customers informed as plans progress. I hope that everyone embraces this exciting new development for the library.
Related posts:
http://www.downnews.co.uk/downnewscouklatest-news/libraries-ni-to-reconsider-services-in-down
http://www.downnews.co.uk/downnewscouklatest-news/killyleagh-anger-at-library-closure-threat
Libraries NI is the new public library service for Northern Ireland. It came into being on 1 April 2009 as part of the Review of Public Administration. Its services are regionally planned and locally delivered and focus on: support for learning and learners; access to information; cultural and creative development; heritage and digitisation; and reading.
| Saintfield Library |
| DAY |
CURRENT OPENING HOURS |
NEW OPENING TIMES
(from 10 January 2011) |
| Monday |
Closed |
10am –  4pm |
| Tuesday |
2pm -8pm |
2pm -8pm |
| Wednesday |
Closed |
Closed |
| Thursday |
2pm -8pm |
2pm -8pm |
| Friday |
10am – 1pm 2pm – 5pm |
10am – 1pm 2pm – 5pm |
| Saturday |
10am – 1pm |
10am – 1pm |
| Carryduff Library |
| DAY |
CURRENT OPENING HOURS |
NEW OPENING TIMES
(from 10 January 2011) |
| Monday |
2pm -8pm |
2pm -8pm |
| Tuesday |
Closed |
10am –  4pm |
| Wednesday |
2pm -8pm |
2pm -8pm |
| Thursday |
Closed |
Closed |
| Friday |
10am – 1pm  2pm – 5pm |
10am – 1pm 2pm – 5pm |
| Saturday |
10am – 1pm |
10am – 1pm |
Mobile Library Service based in the Car Park of Library HQ, Windmill Hill, Ballynahinch operating from 10
th January.
| Date |
Time |
| Monday 10th January |
10-4pm |
| Wednesday 19th January |
10-4pm |
| Tuesday 25th January |
10-4pm |
| Monday 31st January |
10-4pm |
| Wednesday 9th February |
10-4pm |
| Tuesday 15th February |
10-4pm |
| Monday 21st February |
10-4pm |
| Wednesday 2nd March |
10-4pm |
| Tuesday 8th March |
10-4pm |
| Monday 14th March |
10-4pm |
| Wednesday 23rd March |
10-4pm |
| Tuesday 29th March |
10-4pm |
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