Two publications released on experiences of NI’s library service, museums and science centres

Date published: 26 January 2017

The Department for Communities (DfC) today released the two publications, ‘Experience of the public library service in Northern Ireland’ and ‘Experience of museums and science centres in Northern Ireland.’

The main findings of the 2015/16 public library service report include:

Overall, as noted in the May 2016 headline report, there was a decline in the proportion of adults using the public library service (25%) compared with the previous years’ figures. Indeed, this was the lowest figure recorded in the overall trend and was driven by a decline in females using the service.
 
‘To borrow / return / renew books’ (61%), ‘to use computers for personal use’ (23%) and ‘to look up information / do research’ (18%) were the most popular uses of the public library service amongst adult public library users.

This publication and associated tables are available on the DfC website.

The main findings of the 2015/16 museums and science centres report include:

Overall, as noted in the May 2016 headline report, there was a decline in the proportion of adults visiting museums and science centres during 2015/16 compared with the previous years’ figures. This decrease was largely driven by a decrease in the proportion of adults visiting a National museum.
 
The most frequently cited reasons for visiting a museum or science centre were ‘To see a specific exhibition/display’, ‘Something to interest the children’ and ‘General interest in the subject of the museum/collection.’

This publication and associated tables are available on the DfC website.

Notes to editors: 

  1. These reports present findings from the 2015/16 Continuous Household Survey which is a Northern Ireland wide household survey administered by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). Further information on the survey including sample design and response rates is included in the definitions and technical notes and metadata sections of the statistical release.
  2. The reports follow on from the ‘Engagement in culture, arts and leisure by adults in Northern Ireland’ report published in May 2016 (revised July 2016) which provided headline figures.
  3. These latest reports provide more detailed information including trends over time on use of the public library service and on visiting museums and science centres and also include key findings relating to differences in participation rates among adults by various Section 75 group and those living in the most and least deprived areas of Northern Ireland. Each report is also accompanied by detailed tables.
  4. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Communities Press Office on 028 9082 3504 or email press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.

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