Birmingham library proposals: full opening hours list revealed

Revised proposals have provided the clearest idea yet of what the future could hold for every library in Birmingham.

The fate of the libraries is still to be determined as the crisis-hit city council looks to slash a huge range of services and overcome its financial woes.

Its revised proposals for the library service have now been published, with the local authority saying previous feedback highlighted the need for more “equitable” hours across the city.

“Feedback from the final consultation was that the disparity of five-day and two-day opening was too great and did not offer high footfall libraries enough provision,” Birmingham City Council (BCC) said.

Proposed hours have been redistributed on a four, three and two-day basis.

If the new proposals are given the green light, there would still be ten ‘library community hubs’ spread across the city.

But the revisions mean they would be open for just four days, 28 hours, rather than full-time, 35 hours, as previously proposed.

Coun Saima Suleman, the cabinet member responsible for libraries, previously said the hubs will offer people vital support from benefits advice to help with housing.

“We will help to prevent people from falling into crisis, ensuring people can access the support that they need in their neighbourhood,” she said.

There would also be 14 part-time libraries, open either 14 or 21 hours per week – all of them previously would have been open for just 14 hours under the original proposals.

In four more locations, there could be a “co-location library offer” which could involve two buildings being closed and relocated

Again, these would be open either 14 or 21 hours per week.

Another seven elsewhere could remain but only if other organisations or groups are able to step in to fund and run them.

Under the revised proposals, the Library of Birmingham would be the only library open full-time.

But the council said that for all libraries, there would be an opportunity for full-time opening “supported by internal and external partners, groups and the community”.

The city’s flagship library would also not be the community hub for the Ladywood area – it is now proposed to be Small Heath Library instead.

Campaigners at Birmingham Loves Libraries welcomed moves to address the “stark disparity the original proposal would have created” but said the revisions still made for “grim reading”.

“More cuts to services and a further turn to the voluntary sector cannot be the solution; they will not produce a more resilient city,” the group said.

“Our city already relies on the helping hands of so many volunteers and community organisations. For communities to thrive, they need an infrastructure of public services. 

“Libraries are part of that public infrastructure, safe spaces that support lifelong learning. The savings to be made by this cut to our library services will harm our communities and restrict life chances.”

Coun Suleman previously said the proposals could provide 28 library buildings funded by the city council and the potential for more with the inclusion of partner-led libraries.

A spokesperson for the council said earlier this year: “Our community libraries are all valued assets that provide information, foster knowledge, and offer trusted spaces for residents.

“While we must operate within budget constraints, we are committed to preserving access to vital library resources and services to meet both current and future resident needs.”

The council has faced pressing issues familiar with many other councils, such as the rising demand for services and funding cuts, as well as Birmingham-specific problems such as an equal pay fiasco and the disastrous implementation of a new IT and finance system.

The consultation page on the revised library proposals can be found on the Birmingham Be Heard website here.

The revised proposals for each library are as follows:

• Library
• Previous proposed hours per week
• Revised proposed hours per week
• Reason for change in proposed hours per week

Acocks Green (community hub)

35

28

To allow increased hrs across the city

Aston

14

14

No change

Balsall Heath

14

14

No change

Bartley Green

Partner Led

Partner Led

No change

Birchfield 

14

21

Increase of hours based on usage

Bloomsbury

Partner Led

Partner Led

No change

Boldmere

Partner Led

Partner Led

No change

Druids Heath (community hub)

35

28

To allow increased hrs across the city

Erdington (community hub)

35

28

To allow increased hrs across the city

Frankley

Partner Led

Partner Led

No change

Glebe Farm

Partner Led

Partner Led

No change

Hall Green 

14

21

Increase of hours based on usage

Handsworth (community hub)

35

28

To allow increased hrs across the city

Harborne 

14

21

Increase of hours based on usage (Co location)

Kings Heath (community hub) 

35

28

To allow increased hrs across the city

Kings Norton 

14

21

Increase of hours based on usage

Kingstanding

14

14

No change

Mere Green (community hub)

35

28

To allow increased hrs across the city

Northfield  (community hub)

35

28

To allow increased hrs across the city

Perry Common

14

14

No change

Quinton (community hub)

35

28

To allow increased hrs across the city

Selly Oak

14

14

No change

Shard End 

14

21

Increase of hours based on usage

Sheldon

14

14

No change

Small Heath (community hub)

14

28

Increase in hours–Ladywood Constituency Library Community Hub

South Yardley 

14

21

Increase of hours based on usage

Sparkhill 

14

21

Increase of hours based on usage

Spring Hill *

Closure

Closure

No change

Stirchley 

14

21

Increase of hours based on usage

Sutton Coldfield

Partner Led

Partner Led

No change

14

14

No change( Co-location)

Partner Led

Partner Led

No change

35

28

To allow increased hrs across the city

14

21

Increase of hours based on usage

14

21

Increase of hours based on usage