Northern Ireland Library Authority

As a result of the Review of Public Administration, arrangements for the administration of the public library service changed on 1 April 2009.  Since then responsibility for the management and delivery of the library service transferred from the Education and Library Boards to a new regional public body, the Northern Ireland Library Authority (Known as Libraries NI).  Legislation to bring in these changes - the Libraries Act (NI) 2008 - was passed by the Assembly in May 2008.

This decision creates a single library service for all Northern Ireland, and streamlines its delivery through a separate body focusing solely on libraries.  The Library Authority will work to develop the best quality library service within the budget and policy guidelines provided by the Department.  In doing so it will seek to ensure equity of provision across Northern Ireland, developing quality through the transmission of best practice to meet the needs of its wide range of customers.

Libraries NI are based at:

Office Suite 1
Lisburn Square House
8 Haslem's Lane
Lisburn
BT28 1TS

Telephone 028 9260 6750.