Call for more GAA books to be stocked in libraries

LIBRARIES NI is being urged by one local councillor to increase its provision of books on gaelic games at its branches in Omagh and Fintona.

Barry McElduff of Sinn Féin has been in contact with officials from the organisation about the issue. They have told him that they will look into the possibility of providing more books of local and national GAA interest.

His call comes just weeks a financial investment of £1 million was granted to Libraries NI by the Department for Communities. It followed years of underinvestment due to budget cuts.

Mr McElduff told the UlsterHerald that local libraries provide a vital service which is acknowledged by people of all ages, especially students and the elderly. But he added that more needs to be done for the libraries to reflect the immense interest in gaelic games within Tyrone.

“Libraries must reflect and mirror the communities in which they are based.

“I want to approach positively the task of ensuring that the provision of GAA books in our Fintona and Omagh branches is improved,” he said.

“Tyrone is a county where the gaelic games play a huge role in the lives of so many people. Unfortunately at the moment, that interest is not really reflected in terms of books on various aspects of the GAA being readily available or accessible.

“It should be the case where the autobiographies of GAA players and personalities are there in Omagh and Fintona for people to loan and read. There is a vast array of GAA-related publications both at club and county level, and I know that both myself and many others would like to be able to access more of it in our local libraries.”

Mr McElduff also praised the work and dedication of staff members based locally and the extent of the Irish Local Studies Section in Omagh.