At this time, the Department for Communities (DfC) is faced with a funding deficit of £1.7m for 2023/2024. As a result of this deficit, Northern Ireland’s libraries have to make adjustments in order to avoid complete financial ruin.
DfC chief executive Jim O’Hagan also revealed the country’s libraries will reduce the number of books with large print, translated books, and audiobooks, due to ongoing financial challenges.
O’Hagan furthermore said the lack of needed funds for Libraries NI will ultimately have adverse impacts across the nation’s health and education industries, along with society at large.
A symptom of the greater problem?
Troubling news about libraries across Northern Ireland comes amid a recent study documenting economic worries among Britain’s youth.
The study in question revealed many young citizens of the United Kingdom face financial instability and therefore worry about their futures. To make matters worse, Brits who are parents feel the present economy will have negative impacts on their families going forward.
