Newarthill Library saved from closure

Following Culture NL’s decision in the summer to close it as a cost cutting measure the council agreed emergency funding to provide a stay of execution until January.

This was primarily to give the community council time to work out a rescue plan to run the library as part of a community hub.

However, it also gave the Save Newarthill Library campaign time to muster support from all over the world and this pressure has ultimately seen the council think again.

A decision was announced at yesterday’s meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee, just hours after the Save Newarthill Library Campaign, had presented thousands more letters of protest.

Council leader Councillor Jim Logue said: “The local community have worked extremely hard to make the case for keeping Newarthill Library open and have fought an impressive campaign.

“Crucially, they have done a lot of work to increase usage of a much-loved community facility. We have listened carefully to their views and have decided to keep the library open.”

The council are also now looking at ways to expand community facilities in the village.

Councillor Logue said: “We will continue to work with the community council and the Save Newarthill Library campaign to examine options for a new community hub in the future.”