Northern Ireland libraries can no longer afford to buy books

A funding shortfall means the country’s library service will operate with reduced hours, and is ‘unable to purchase new books or take requests at present’

Northern Ireland’s library service has said that it does not have sufficient funding to buy new books for its libraries. “Regrettably due to funding constraints, Libraries NI is unable to purchase new books or take requests for new books at present,” says the authority on its “service updates” page.

Libraries will also operate with reduced opening hours. The service said the funding situation is presenting “significant challenges”, and that the board’s decision to reduce operating hours was not taken lightly.