LIBRARIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Motion Text

That this House notes the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport's report on libraries in the UK; further notes its criticism of the deterioration of the library estate; recognizes that, in Northern Ireland, there is currently a proposal that, if implemented, would result in numerous libraries in rural areas of East Londonderry and North Antrim being closed; and calls for the Government, in the light of the Select Committee report, to re-examine its approach to the funding of libraries with a view to developing the service as opposed to overseeing its demise.