Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure


Libraries

DCAL’s vision for the 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’.

What we do

DCAL funds the public library service, which is currently administered by five Education and Library Boards. From 1 April 2009 responsibility for public libraries in Northern Ireland will transfer to the Northern Ireland Library Authority.

In recent years libraries have introduced new services such as free internet access in all libraries across Northern Ireland. There has also been significant investment in new library buildings to improve and modernise the public library service.

DCAL also supports the Linen Hall Library Opens new windowand the Library and Information Services Council (NI).Opens new window

Websites of interest

www.ni-libraries.netOpens new window

Belfast Education and Library BoardOpens new window

South Eastern Education and Library BoardOpens new window

Southern Education and Library BoardOpens new window

North Eastern Education and Library Board

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Western Education and Library BoardOpens new window

Trisha Ward, Head of Library and Corporate Services, WELB, Gregory Campbell MP MLA, Minister of Culture, Arts & Leisure, Bill Reilly, Board Member and Chairman of the Library Committee, WELB and Helen Osborn, former Head of Library and Corporate Services WELB, now Director of Service Delivery, Northern Ireland Library Authority, at a recent visit to Derry Central Library.
Related Links

Information
Delivering Tomorrow's Libraries Opens new window