Life

Let's fight to keep our libraries open for future generations

Suzanne McGonagle

Suzanne McGonagle

Suzanne has worked at the Irish News since 2004. Her particular areas of specialism are news and education.

Please do not abandon our libraries
Please do not abandon our libraries Please do not abandon our libraries

ALMOST every part of our lives can now be conducted online, from catching up with friends and paying our bills to applying for jobs.

However, the popularity of the digital age has cast something of a shadow over some traditional activities we once carried out on a regular basis, such as going to the library.

The rise of our digital use has seen the relevance of our libraries severely tested in recent times.

Combined with a lack of investment and funding, a growing number of libraries have faced extreme pressure.

Figures have shown that more than 300 libraries across the UK, including at least 12 library service points in Northern Ireland, have closed over the past six years.

There has also been a decline in library staff with a reduction of 22 per cent since 2010.

Borrowing figures have also faced change with a combination of the increasing use of e-readers, closures and funding cuts contributing to a growing problem for our centuries-old service.

But just last week library users in Northern Ireland were given a boost.

Following months of uncertainty for 14 libraries across the north, operating under the threat of cuts to opening hours, there was good news.

Stormont communities minister Paul Givan announced that these libraries would be given a reprieve and the plans scrapped.

An extra £225,000 was found to ward off the threat of reduced opening hours.

The proposals, under which some libraries stood to close for up to an extra day every week, attracted more than 8,000 responses opposing the plans as part of the Libraries NI consultation.

Mr Givan said the views of the public had "been clearly heard".

"Libraries remain a valuable resource and one which I will continue to support," he said.

The response from library users and the scrapping of the proposals has clearly demonstrated that people realise our libraries are an important part of our community.

The notion that they are a thing of the past and out-of-date is untrue.

We need to remember that libraries are more than just books and banks of computers - they are places where we can all go to gather, explore, interact and imagine.

So much has been said about the importance of reading, especially among our children, and libraries are places where we can introduce a brand new world to them, from fiction to fact, where they can broaden both their imagination and their knowledge.

It can set children up on a love of books that will last a lifetime.

It is also a place where both kids and adults can go to for answers, to look up reference books and to discover and research new things. For older people and community groups, they are important meeting places.

And it's also not just about books, it's about computers too.

We take for granted our use of computers and digital devices. But for those who don't have easy access to such luxuries at home or in work, libraries are a place where they can go to read the read the news and search the web.

Questions have been raised about how the spread of the digital world will change how we view and use our library system.

While many predicted our bookshelves would be emptied and our libraries destroyed by the rise of the digital age, thankfully this has not become a total reality.

But if we don't keep using our libraries, it could become a distinct possibility.

Yes, the internet is a great resource to finding information, but it's not a replacement for a library.

We should continue to promote how the internet can complement libraries, not replace them.

Instead of cutting library services, more money should be invested in order to keep them open.

But surely if the wholesale closure of our local libraries continues, we are failing future generations. We need to fight to keep libraries threatened by cuts and closure open to the public.

Libraries are one of very few places we can go and immerse ourselves in a different world - do not abandon that opportunity.

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Competition

To celebrate the arrival of Omniplex Cinemas to The Outlet at Banbridge, I have five family passes to give away.

Part of a recent investment at The Outlet, the cinema is set to be one of the busiest in Northern Ireland with almost 6,000 blockbuster screenings scheduled for the remainder of 2016.

It has eight screens with a state of the art Maxx giant screen featuring dual projection and an advanced sound system as well as 1,500 free parking spaces on site, assigned seating, pre-booking of tickets and comfortable rocker style chairs.

There's a weekend kids club with tickets priced at just £2 per person, Tuesday Treat days offering £3.50 tickets and subtitled screenings every Monday.

For families of children with autism, sensory screenings are also scheduled at weekends where lights are dimmed instead of turned off completely and sound levels are lowered to make for more comfortable viewing.

To be in with a chance to win one of five family passes (four tickets per family), simply email your name, address and telephone number - along with the answer to the question below - to competitions@irishnews.com

Closing date for entries is Tuesday August 16 at noon.

(Q) How many screens does the new Omniplex have at The Outlet?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply

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What's Hot!

Foodie Fest - An afternoon of food, drink and entertainment is promised at Moira Demense on August 20. The Speciality Food Fair will include many award-winning food offerings to suit all tastes as well as chef demonstrations from some of the north's leading chefs. For further information please visit www.facebook.com/foodfairmoira

Finishing touches - The Northern Ireland Hospice has put the finishing touches to its family garden and private bedrooms thanks to a donation worth more than £4,000 from IKEA Belfast. The furniture company helped fit out the 18 private bedroom facility as well as providing a range of beautiful and functional garden furniture.

What's Not!

Brexit aftermath - The sequel to the 2014 Mrs Brown's Boys film has been thrown into disarray by Brexit. Creator and star Brendan O'Carroll said the follow-up to the box office hit was on the back burner because of rocketing costs due to the falling pound.

Not so good Friends - Courtney Cox and fiancé Johnny McDaid have been spotted in a furious war of words outside London restaurant after only rekindling their romance following a brief split last year.

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Competition winner

The winner of last week's Lidl Cien beauty range competition is Marie Bannon from Ballygawley.

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Easy Peasy Recipe

This week's Easy Peasy Recipe is Watermelon and Strawberry Jam, courtesy of McKinney's Sugar.

You will need:

250 g watermelon

250 g strawberries

Juice of 1 lemon

300 g McKinney’s Sure Set Jam Sugar

To make:

Deseed the watermelon by pushing it through a sieve.

Hull and wash the strawberries.

Place in a pan and blend together using a hand blender.

Add the lemon juice and McKinney’s Sure Set Jam Sugar.

Boil for 3–6 minutes or until it thickens into a syrupy consistency.

Do a consistency test by dropping a little jam onto a cold plate to check if the consistency is correct.

Remove the pan from the heat and carefully skim off any foam.

Pour the jam into hot, thoroughly cleaned jars, seal and keep cool.

Do you have an Easy Peasy recipe you would like to share?

Are you the queen of quiches, magnificent at muffins or can you turn out some nice scones?

If so, then we want to hear from you.

You can send your name, address, contact number and recipe (plus photo if possible) to:

Easy Peasy Recipes,

Suzanne McGonagle,

Irish News

113-117 Donegall Street,

Belfast,

BT1 2GE

or

s.mcgonagle@irishnews.com