This week the Libraries Bill passed Final Stage in the Assembly. It establishes a new body, the Library Authority, and transfers to it the responsibility for delivering and managing a unified library service for all Northern Ireland.
Speaking in the Assembly, the Minister said: “The library service will now have its own separate body to run it which will provide a dedicated focus on libraries.”
Mr Poots emphasised the value of the public library service: “The service provided by public libraries has a vital role in today’s society. Libraries are a rich resource that provide open access to books and information for knowledge, enlightenment and entertainment.
“Also, there is the bonus of knowledgeable staff to give advice, direction and assistance. Libraries can, and do, help citizens achieve an improved quality of life, and they nurture vibrant communities. A society that puts effort into achieving the best structures for the management and delivery of libraries is one that cares for these values.”
As a service of central Government accountable to the Executive and the Assembly, the library service under the Library Authority will be well placed to support a range of Government priorities, including promoting literacy and lifelong learning and addressing social inclusion. The Library Authority will provide a single focus for achieving partnerships with other agencies to develop targeted services for specific groups.
The Minister pointed out the uniqueness of the new arrangements in the UK and Ireland. He said: “This is a unique and innovative model for the delivery of library services. Moreover, it is a model that has been tailored in Northern Ireland for Northern Ireland.”
The Library Authority will be operational from April 2009, and staff which work on the library service in the Education and Library Boards will transfer to the Library Authority on that date.
The Minister is now moving forward to appoint the Board of the Library Authority which will bring together people with a range of skills and expertise who have the single goal of improving front-line library service provision.
The competitions to recruit members of the Board will begin with that for the Chairperson, to be advertised in June, followed by those for other members of the Board in August or September. Further information can be obtained from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure website
in due course.
Notes to Editors:
The decision to unify the library service across Northern Ireland and establish a separate body to manage and deliver the service was taken by the Executive in June 2007, following the Review of Public Administration.
The Libraries Bill creates a non-departmental public body to deliver the library service which will be answerable to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure. It will be governed by a Board consisting of a chairperson and up to 18 other members.
The Chief Executive (designate) was appointed in August 2007 and is working with a small team to establish the corporate and operational arrangements. Full responsibility for the public library service will transfer from the Education and Library Boards to the Library Authority on 1 April 2009.
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