Libraries in the Future

DCAL acknowledged the need to bring together its response to 'Tomorrow's Libraries' into a framework to provide guiding principles and priorities for the future development of the library service. As progress toward that end it published a consultation paper in October 2005, ‘Northern Ireland’s Libraries: A Framework for Change’, as a focus for debate (available below)

'Framework for Change' was released for public consultation in October 2005. There is more information on this consultation, including a summary of the consultation responses below.

On 26 July 2006 the final version of the libraries policy framework, entitled 'DELIVERING TOMORROW’S LIBRARIES- principles and priorities for the development of public libraries in Northern Ireland' was released.

'Delivering Tomorrow's Libraries' is available in PDF form here.

The EQIA and Rural Proofing reports of the policy are available at the bottom of this page.

'Northern Ireland's Libraries: Framework for Change'

DCAL produced this document which outlines its proposed vision for public libraries in Northern Ireland. The document was out for public comment (including EQIA and Rural Proofing) from October 2005 to January 2006.

On 26 July 2006 DCAL launched a final, revised version of the Framework. This is entitled 'Delivering Tomorrow's Libraries'.

The objectives of the Framework were to:

a. Consider, and set out a vision for, the role and function of a modern public library service for Northern Ireland;
b. Set out the main changes needed to fulfil and deliver this model;
c. set out the quality standards which NI public libraries should meet;
d. Establish realistic and standardised performance measures;
e. Determine an equitable formula for allocation of funding for libraries;
f. Identify areas for achieving greater efficiencies.

Documents:
'Framework for Change' is available here

Public Consultation- Summary Report of Responses to 'Northern Ireland’s Libraries: A Framework for Change'

Consultation
Public meetings to discuss the consultation document were held as follows:

Wednesday 18 January from 10:00am to 1:00pm at Spires Conference Centre, Belfast,

Thursday 19 January from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Greenvale Hotel, Cookstown.

There were also on-line consultations available at every public library and over a hundred written or e-mailed submissions were received. The Minister (David Hanson) held a series of meetings on the Framework with library interests and political parties.

The consultation period for this document has now finished.

Decisions and publication

The Department has now considered the comments received during the consultation period. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to contribute. A final version of the Framework 'Delivering Tomorrow's Libraries' has now been produced.

The rural proofing assessment has been completed, taking into account the outcome of this public consultation, and is available here:

Rural Proofing Report on 'Framework for Change'/ 'Delivering Tomorrow's Libraries' .

A report of the equality impact assessment of the Framework Policy has been completed, taking into account the outcome of this public consultation, and is available here:

Equality Impact Report of Libraries Policy Framework (Framework for Change/ Delivering Tomorrow's Libraries).