Public libraries in Belfast and the Troubles, 1969‐1994
| Published date | 01 August 2005 |
| Pages | 373-385 |
| Date | 01 August 2005 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120410609789 |
| Author | Darren Topping,Geraint Evans |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Public libraries in Belfast and the
Troubles, 1969-1994
Darren Topping
Belfast Education and Libraries Board, Belfast Central Library,
Belfast, UK, and
Geraint Evans
Department of Information Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK
Abstract
Purpose – Seeks to investigate the extent to which public libraries in Belfast were affected by the
Northern Ireland Troubles between 1969 and 1994.
Design/methodology/approach – Based on a literature review and interviews with key members
of staff, it gives a brief history of the growth of public libraries in the city and outlines the impact of the
Troubles on the buildings, staff and finances of Belfast libraries. It further details the effect on the
Falls Road branch, a library in the centre of the turmoil.
Findings – Examines the literature generated by the Troubles and discusses how the Northern
Ireland Political Collection at the Linen Hall Library Belfast has harnessed these materials.
Originality/value – Investigates the extent to which public libraries in Belfast were affected by the
Northern Ireland Troubles between 1969 and 1994.
Keywords Public libraries,Northern Ireland
Paper type Research paper
Aim, scope and parameters
The aim of this paper is to investigate the extent to which public libraries in Belfast
were affected by the Northern Ireland Troubles between 1969 and 1994. The paper:
.Explains the methodology employed and reviews the literature focusing on the
Troubles and material on Belfast libraries before, during and after the Troubles.
.Outlines the overall effect of the Troubles on the buildings, staff, materials and
finances of Belfast’s libraries.
.Details the effect of the Troubles on a selected branch library, the Falls Road
branch.
.Examines the literature generated by the Troubles and how the Northern Ireland
Political Collection at the Linen Hall Library has harnessed these materials.
.Presents conclusions.
The time span under investigation is 1969-1994. The year of 1969 marked the
beginning of widespread internecine struggles between the two main communities in
Belfast, and it was the first year in which the Troubles began to impinge on library
service provision after the fire bombing of Falls Road Branch Library. The end-point,
1994 represents the year in which all of the main paramilitary groupings began their
ceasefires, acts that are widely acknowledged as ending that particular phase of
The Emerald Research Register for this journal is available at The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
Public libraries
in Belfast
373
Received 12 November 2004
Revised 9 February 2005
Accepted 24 February 2005
Library Management
Vol. 26 No. 6/7, 2005
pp. 373-385
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435120410609789
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