Carnlough Library & Community Facility Opening, 24 Feb 2016

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• published: 24 Feb 2016
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Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim, Joan Christie OBE and Councillor Paul Maguire, Chair of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Community Planning Committee, today (11am) accompanied DCAL Minister Carál Nί Chuilίn in officially opening a new purpose-built library and community facility in Carnlough. The new £495,000 resource facility is located in the former village ‘Town Hall’ and was jointly funded through Mid East Antrim Council, Libraries NI and the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Programme (RDP). Young people were a part of the celebrations too, with entertainment provided by local primary school children from Carnlough Controlled Integrated Primary School and St John’s Primary School. Addressing the VIP guests and many local community representatives who attended, Cllr Maguire said: “This project is a demonstration of what can be achieved when Council, Government and communities work together in planning for their local community. “The refurbishment of this building has been vital in helping to galvanise and regenerate the heart of this village. Not only that, but it has been key to retaining basic services and has allowed the statutory agencies to work in partnership for the benefit of local people. “This project really does encapsulate the vision of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council - working together to create a better future for all.” He also said that the project cost £495,000 in total - with the majority coming from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council - along with £90,000 awarded through DARD’s Rural Development Programme and almost £40,000 was provided by Libraries NI for furniture and equipment for the library. Michelle O’Neill MLA, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said: “I am delighted that £90,000 RDP funding has helped deliver this much needed community facility in Carnlough. It is projects such as this that highlight the real impact of local people working together on Local Action Groups (LAGs) for the benefit of all rural dwellers regardless of age or ability. “LAGs will shortly be opening for applications across the rural north under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme. I would therefore encourage all rural community/voluntary groups to ensure that project ideas are developed as soon as possible to take the opportunity of the funding available for their local rural communities.’’ Commenting, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, said: “It gives me great pleasure to help open the newly refurbished library for Carnlough. Libraries play a central role in communities, especially in rural areas, and their services are cherished. Thanks to support from Libraries NI, Carnlough Library stocks over 10,000 books, almost half of which are brand new, and members can also access ebooks, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines. “They can also access the internet via free computers, and use free Wi-Fi with their personal devices. This enhancement of services has seen the library’s membership rise by more than 30% since it reopened its doors last June. “I am grateful to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for its substantial investment in the library and also to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for its financial support. The library will deliver valuable services to the Carnlough community for many years to come.” Music: http://www.purple-planet.com