Public Libraries: Bangor

Lady Hermon
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made by his Department of the adequacy of the public library provision in Bangor; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle
Responsibility for delivering the Northern Ireland public library service, including securing appropriate library accommodation for this area, rests with the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB).

DCAL has approved funding for a major extension and refurbishment of the existing Bangor library. The enhanced library will provide accommodation of over 2,000m2 making it one of the largest public libraries in Northern Ireland.

The SEELB had to decant from Bangor library at the end of March 2007 to facilitate the commencement of this work. Arrangements are being made for the library to open in temporary premises in two units in the Flagship shopping centre from 21 May 2007 for the duration of the contract. Until 21 May, a library service will be provided from a mobile library outside the Hamilton road library. Information on these temporary arrangements has been made widely available by the SEELB.