Central Library won't see opening cut by day

He said he’ll be providing Libraries NI with additional funding of £225,000, which will ensure that the proposed reduction in Library opening hours will not now go ahead.

“People care deeply about this important resource based in their local communities which is why I am delighted to be in a position to announce this additional funding of £225,000. This money will allow Libraries NI to address some of the financial pressures that the organisation like so many others are currently facing,” said Mr Givan.

John Patrick Clayton, Policy Officer at the UNISON trade union said: “UNISON opposed these cuts to this vital community service and called on the Department for Communities to make adequate resources available in order to reverse them. We are pleased that the views of UNISON and the views of the wider public have been listened to and are being acted upon.

“However, we remain mindful that the proposed reduction in library opening hours was only part of an overall package of savings that Libraries NI is implementing, with Libraries NI due to make savings of over £2m in 2016/17.”

“The cancellation of planned cuts to library hours is a victory for people power” said People Before Profit MLA for Foyle, Eamonn McCann.

“The libraries campaign drew in thousands of library users and members of the public as well as trades unionists fighting to protect jobs and working hours.”