Libraries

Northern Ireland has 111 public libraries, containing two million books available to borrow, and access to four million catalogued items, with an average of seven million borrower visits each year.

49% of the population are registered as library members and can borrow books and use the free public access computers.  1.3 million people live within two miles of a public library. There are over 1,156 public access computers available at 111 locations.  The web site www.ni-libraries.net receives 1.3 million ‘hits’ each month.

Working to improve our libraries services is a high priority for the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and the Public Library Service.  We have increased the amount of funding for libraries in recent years, which has allowed libraries to introduce new services such as free internet access.  We have also invested heavily in new library buildings and we have now built as many libraries as Carnegie did in Northern Ireland.  We have undertaken a lot of work to find ways to improve and modernise our library service and to ask people what sort of library service they expect.  You can read more about this in the 'Libraries in the Future' section of the website.

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure funds the Public Library Service, which is administered by five Education and Library Boards.  In March 2008 the administration of libraries in Northern Ireland will be transferred to the Northern Ireland Libraries Authority (more information is available here).  As part of this work we are preparing legislation to set up the Northern Ireland Libraries Authority (more information on this legislation is available here).

The DCAL vision for the Northern Ireland public Library Service is 'A flexible and responsive library service which provides a dynamic focal point in the community and assists people to fulfil their potential'.

The Library and Information Services Council is the umbrella body for libraries and information providers and promotes high standards in library and information services throughout Northern Ireland.

DCAL also supports the Linen Hall Library, which is the oldest library in Belfast and the last surviving subscription library in Ireland. It is renowned for its unparalleled Irish Studies Collection.

Minister Poots meets WELB Board members and staff at Derry Central Library.

Minister Poots meets John Boyne at the launch of the ONE BOOK Community reading scheme at Finaghy Library