On 1st April Coalisland library celebrated day one of Libraries NI, the new library service for Northern Ireland with a range of treats for customers. As well as handing out pens and pencils with details of the new website www.librariesni.org.uk , libraries also rewarded the first customers to borrow a book and use a computer with a book token.
Pictured are pupils from Primate Dixon Nursery in Coalisland Library.
Libraries NI will provide an integrated service through more than 100 libraries across Northern Ireland. You can use your library card in any library, making it easier to borrow a book in Coalisland and return it to Bangor.  It is free to join the library, borrow books and use the computers with free Internet access.
Culture Minister Gregory Campbell officially launched Libraries NI. He said that Libraries NI will support a wide range of government priorities such as promoting literacy, lifelong learning, and addressing social exclusion.

Speaking at the launch David Elliott, Chairperson of Libraries NI said: “A good modern library is an information hub, providing a wide range of services for children, young people and adults of all ages. Membership is free and brings with it access to a wide range of services, not only books, but also free online access with skilled and knowledgeable staff who can help users to navigate their way through the mass of printed and online material that is available today. 

“At this time of economic recession the services that libraries provide are more important than ever. The moment we persuade anyone to cross that magical threshold into a library, we change their lives forever, and for the better.”