Caught in Crossfire

Library “Troubles” in Northern Ireland Exacerbate Ongoing Issues

Authors

  • Frank Houghton Technological University of the Shannon

Keywords:

Libraries, Northern Ireland, Politics

Abstract

The Government of the United Kingdom (UK) has proposed a reduction in Arts & Humanities degrees in favour of STEMM disciplines. At the same time funding for Libraries in the UK continues to decline annually. This broader context of attack and decline is now being significantly exacerbated in Northern Ireland by an “Austerity Budget”. Libraries there will be severely hit by this budget and anticipate reduced opening hours and not purchasing any new books in the coming year. This punitive budget is designed to critically weaken services in an effort to force politicians in Northern Ireland back into a Power Sharing Government. Such an attack on libraries is inappropriate, unacceptable and will have negative long-term repercussions.

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Published

2023-11-20

Issue

Vol. 9 (2023)

Section

Reports and Commentary

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Frank Houghton

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