A ‘HANDS OFF OUR LIBRARY’ protest rally is to be held today in Derry over plans by the DUP to cut the opening hours of the Central Library in city.
It is one of 14 libraries across the North of Ireland threatened with a a reduction of five hours.
Now trade unionists, activists and local campaigners will gathering outside the Foyle Street premises today at 2.00 pm to protest against the cuts.
They will also be demanding that Libraries Minister Paul Givan and the Assembly Executive make the necessary funds available to maintain its services.
Central Library is going to have its hours slashed by NINE hours per week under the plans
A spokesperson for the organisers said: “Our libraries are being subjected to death by a thousand cuts.
“If we don’t resist this reduction to opening hours, more attacks will come down the line.
“These vital community services are being systematicaly run down.
“Libraries NI are running a so-called consultation on the cuts until 17th July, asking how we want them to be implemented.
“We encourage everyone to respond by clearly stating that we are opposed to any cuts whatsoever.
“This attack is a direct result of Stormont budget cuts.
“They tell us there is no money to fund our libraries, yet the Assembly Executive plans to give big business a huge tax cut at a costs of hundreds of millions per year from public services.”
So if you want to keep Central Library openings hour the same, please come out and support the rally today Saturday and send a huge ‘Hands Off Our Library’ message to Minister Givan.
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