After nearly 40 years, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) has closed its Balmoral Avenue doors to the public.
From today, a temporary self-service microfilm facility is available at Cregagh Library, and will continue to be available until PRONI reopens in new purpose-built accommodation (artist's impression pictured) in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast in Spring 2011.
Only 10 microfilm readers, a microfiche and a reader printer will be available at Cregagh Library, 409-413 Cregagh Road, Belfast, BT6 0LF.
A booking system will be in place for five of the microfilm readers with the remainder available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Users can reserve slots for one or two hours, up to a maximum of two hours per day.
To make an advance bookings for microfilm readers, telephone (44) (0) 2890 255900 or visit the Library. PRONI say that they will review the booking system subject to demand.
All the usual PRONI self-service microfilms, including church registers, will be available at Cregagh (a full list of the self-service collections can be viewed at www.proni.gov.uk.
The 1901 census, now freely accessible online at www.census.nationalarchives.ie, will not be available on microfilm at Cregagh.
Opening Hours for PRONI@Cregagh are as follows:
Monday 1pm – 5pm
Tuesday 10am – 5pm
Wednesday 10am – 5pm
Thursday 1pm – 8pm
Friday 10am – 5pm
It will also be possible to view some of the microfilms that don't fall in the self-service category. However, these microfilms will not be stored at Cregagh so they must be requested in advance. Tel (44) (0) 2890 255907.
