COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE

PRESS RELEASE

16 March 2010

CAL 08/09/10

COMMITTEE CONCERN OVER PROPOSED LIBRARY CLOSURE AT BALLYNAHINCH

Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure are concerned about the proposed closure of Ballynahinch Library. The Committee, which has a scrutiny function in relation to Libraries NI, has sought a meeting with the Chief Executive on this issue.

Chair of the Committee, Barry McElduff said:

“As a scrutiny Committee of government, the Committee must satisfy itself that Libraries NI is taking the right approach to the proposed closure of Ballynahinch Library.

Ballynahinch Library has served its local community well over the years and the Committee has a number of concerns regarding its proposed closure.

In particular, the Committee is anxious that the extensive Co. Down reference collection currently housed in Ballynahinch Library is kept intact. It is a valuable resource which must be preserved for the future”.

ENDS

Committee Membership: -

The Chairperson of the Committee is Mr Barry McElduff MLA.
The Deputy Chairperson is Mr David McNarry MLA

The Committee has a further nine members:

Mr Dominic Bradley MLA
Mr PJ Bradley MLA
The Lord Browne MLA
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA
Mr Billy Leonard MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA

The Clerk to the Committee is Kathryn Bell
Committee Office
Northern Ireland Assembly
Room 424 Parliament Buildings
Stormont Estate, Ballymiscaw
Belfast
BT4 3XX
Telephone: 028 90 521841
Fax: 028 90 521355
E Mail: committee.cal@niassembly.gov.uk

Communications Office contact:

Caroline Moore
Deputy Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Phone: 02890 521806
Mobile : 07900053926
Email: caroline.moore@niassembly.gov.uk