A rally was staged in Derry this afternoon in protest at plans to reduce the opening hours of the city’s main library.
The Central Library in Foyle Street is one of 14 across the North earmarked by Libraries NI for lesser opening times.
Up to 100 people attended the demonstration, held outside the library, organised by the Save the Derry Central Library campaign group.which is demanding Libraries Minister Paul Givan and the Assembly Executive make the necessary funds available to maintain its services
Among those in attendance at today’s protest were local authors Dave Duggan and Felicity McCall.
Speakers included People Before Profit Foyle MLA Eamon McCann and Gary Donnelly, Independent councillor on Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Speaking to Derry Now Mr McCann said: “It is a scandal that library services are being threatened in the way they are, not just by library cutbacks but by library closures.
“They are unfair cuts and we have to stand up to them.”
Cllr Donnelly said: “It is important to come here today to show solidarity support for the staff of the library.
“Libraries are very important to the community.
“I have my two children with me today – as they were growing up I used to take them to libraries all the time.
“Some people cannot afford the internet or to go out and buy text books, particularly the youth for their education, so it is vital that our young people have access to this facility.
“It is not just the young people. I be in the company of a group of elderly gentlemen every morning and when we break up they come to this library because that is part of their social life – they come and they read the newspapers, they converse, they meet with people their own age and if this facility was cutback it would have a serious effect, not just on them, but right across the community.”
Photo shows Mr McCann addressing today's rally.
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