Downpatrick groups and library users express concerns at possible changes to heritage library section
Libraries NI called a 2-hour open meeting with users of Downpatrick Library to clarify their position on very early stage proposals to move the Heritage Gallery library into the main library area and utilise the existing space for ‘performance activities’.
The Heritage Gallery is one large room in Downpatrick Library which houses a couple of reading tables, cupboards with old maps of the area, books, pamphlets, photos, newspaper electronic archives, and many storage boxes of papers and files etc broken down conveniently into village and town areas.
(Photo: Jim Masson/DownNews©)
Although officials from Libraries NI said the meeting was a pre-consultation discussion to clear up some ‘mis-conceptions’ that had emerged in the media, the various groups in attendance were totally united and resolute in objecting to a dilution of the heritage library in Downpatrick which they see as a cultural centre for the Lecale area and wider East Down with significance to Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland.
Julia Reid, Libraries NI Head of Services, said: “At the moment we just have an idea, nothing more. We are at the beginning of a process which may lead to a proposal. It is re-assuring that the library users are so passionate about their local library.
“This is very much a listening exercise on our part. We can take this information and comments learned today and factor these in – that was always our plan. We will gather the points today and reflect on them in the light of today’s discussion.
“We will provide feedback from this meeting to the public of Downpatrick. It is only the very early stages of a process.
“Our library services are available 24/7 online now. Digitisation has moved on, and our excellent staff are always ready to help people with reading or research choices.
“We offer focussed help around education, learning and heritage. So we at Libraries NI are listening to the arguments and we will take it all aboard.”
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DOWNPATRICK LIBRARY Users Express Their Concerns Over Initial Proposals To Move Heritage Gallery Into Main Library Area
Dr Hubert Curran from the Downpatrick U3a group said at the meeting: “We are looking for an assurance that you will modify your proposals regarding the heritage library.
“There needs to be a proper consultation exercise which is transparent. Our members and many others are quite concerned about these changes to the heritage library. “
Lesley Simpson, a former Keeper of Collections at Down Country Museum and a member of the Friends of Down County Museum said: “Libraries NI seem to be transmitting but not receiving.
“We need to see and understand what the vision of Libraries NI is – and we want to see that all the boxes are ticked as we go through a consultation process.
“Many poople here today’s meeting are passionate about our library and any changes will need to be clear and spelled out. We don’t want a reduction in our heritage section which may be difficult to fit into the main library space.”
Ken Tait, Chair oif the Killyleagh and District Family History Society, said: “Our society was founded in 1982 and we have collected geneological research through John McGifford going back to the 1600s. It is currently in Killyleagh LIirary but we wanted to lodge it in Downpatrick Library.
“Many families from Amerca and Australia contact us as part of their family roots searches and we are happy to help out.
“And there are many visitors from these countries too who come to County Down to trace relatives. All that great work and relationships could be undermined if there were disruptive changes to the Downpatrick heritage library.
“Staff in the library are very helpful in the Heritage Gallery. We would be very sorry to see it closing – but if it ai’nt broke don’t try and fix it.
“The nature of research is such that people often need to see the original document as errors can creep in to copies.
“We will drop the CEO of Libraries NI an email letting him know how concerned we are.”
Many local groups such as Lecale Historical Society, Knitters and Natters, and individual researchers all use the library facilities and they too were at the meeting expressing concerns at the idea of moving the Heritage Gallery into the main library area.
A library official in closing the meeting said that “we have to think about the totality of the library service.”
It remains unclear at this point what Libraries NI envisaged as ‘performance space’ and what its purpose is. As every strategy should be based on need, Libraries NI will have to explain this in more detail at their next consultation meeting which should ideally take place in an evening to accomodate more library users who could not make it to the meeting.
Downpatrick already has a Downpatrick Arts Centre with exhibition and performance spaces, and in the St Patrick Centre there is an auditorium which is used for performance events close by and there is a Gallery for art exhibitions. There is also space available for public performances in Denvir’s Hotel and Murphy’s Bar.
Readers and researchers require space to be able to engage in their studies and many sought assurances that this would continue.
Given the relatively small size of the area in the Heritage Gallery, many library users think it is hard to see how Libraries NI can justify such a sweeping change to existing facilities when the NEED for moving the heritage Gallery appears to be minimal.
The genie is now out of the bottle.
