| In May, the SELB agreed to invite Mr Hanson to meet the Board to press the case for adequate funding for library services. Mr Hanson was welcomed on behalf of the Board by SELB chairperson Mrs Marie Donnell.
A spokesperson for the SELB said: “Board members thanked Mr Hanson for agreeing to meet them and welcomed his willingness to discuss issues affecting the Library Service.
“They impressed upon the Minister how much the public libraries are valued by the community served by the SELB.
“It was pointed out to Mr Hanson that while many library users are pleased with new computer facilities, provided through the Government-funded People’s Network initiative, two-thirds of library users still want traditional book-based services.
“Mr Hanson was made aware of the fact that the SELB serves a large rural area. Board members told him that all library users want libraries close to them which are open for sufficient hours to enable them to visit at times convenient to them and adequate funding must be provided by Government if this is to be sustained.
“Board members stressed the need for an adequate budget allocation to allow the SELB to maintain its level of public library service provision and ensure libraries are stocked with a reasonable selection of new books.
“Board members expressed disappointment that savings of £104,000 had to be factored into its planned spending for the Library Service this financial year (2005/06) due to inadequate funding from DCAL.
“The members called on Mr Hanson to press for adequate Government funding for the Library Service and expressed serious concern at the potential impact on future service provision if sufficient funding is not secured and if Government seeks additional budget reductions.”
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