I visited library in Birmingham suburb amid major proposals as residents say ‘it’s appalling’

“This space means so much to me,” said one heartfelt message that caught my eye at Stirchley Library.

“The library is a place where I can feel at home away from home,” another says.

Last month, Birmingham City Council unveiled its divisive recommended proposals for the city’s libraries and is now carrying out the final phase of a public consultation.

This will include a number of in-person sessions in each library during September, including one in the popular suburb of Stirchley.

Under the recommended proposals, Stirchley Library would be one of 14 that remain open but part time – around 14 hours a week.

As I entered the historic building on Wednesday, September 4, the love many Brummies have for their libraries was clear to see almost immediately.

While residents of all ages questioned staff about the proposed changes, I made my way through the packed room and took a look at the array of colourful messages adorning a table.

“Stirchley Library has given me a place to connect to my community,” a card read. “Volunteering there has given me purpose and has meant the world to my mental health.”

“Please don’t leave us out in the cold,” a second said. “We need somewhere to sit and learn new things.”

Meanwhile one letter described Stirchley Library as an “essential part of the local community”.

“As a child of immigrants to Birmingham, Stirchley Library was my childhood library, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of reading, learning and writing, and later on a career in journalism,” it continued.

Outside the building, senior citizens Mike and Liz Garwell spoke of the important role that Stirchley Library plays in its community.

“Going to the library changed me,” Mike told me. “Reading books is very important, never mind the other services they do.”

A concerned Liz added it was “appalling” that Stirchley Library began to close on Thursdays under “temporary opening hours”.

The council’s recommended proposals in-depth

Birmingham City Council, which has been grappling with a financial crisis, confirmed ten libraries could remain open full time, operating as ‘community hubs’, under the recommended proposals.

Fourteen more could open part time only for around 14 hours a week.

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

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

The recommended proposals have been controversial, with campaigner Rukhsana Malik describing them as a “huge setback for our city and a betrayal of trust”.

Emma Lochery, co-organiser of the Birmingham Loves Libraries group, added: “I think people are disappointed and there needs to be proper engagement.”

Councillor Saima Suleman, the council’s cabinet member for digital, culture, heritage and tourism, said the updated proposals aimed to “capture the thoughts of those who live, work, study and have an interest in the city and its library services”.

“Under our new proposals, we have shared what the future of our library service could look like, with our recommended option providing 28 building-based libraries funded by BCC which includes a community library hub in each constituency,” she said. “There is also potential for up to 34 Library based buildings with the inclusion of partner-led libraries.

“Crucially, in our community library hubs we will offer people the support that they need – from benefits advice to housing support, we will help to prevent people from falling into crisis, ensuring that people can access the support that they need in their neighbourhood.”

The council has said it is considering four options, with option four being described as its recommended one. This particular option’s proposals are as follows:

10 libraries would open full time (35 hours a week) in these locations:

Acocks Green Library – the community hub for Yardley constituency

The Library of Birmingham – the flagship library would remain open and also be the community hub for Ladywood constituency

Druids Heath Library – the community hub for Selly Oak constituency

Erdington Library – the community hub for Erdington constituency

Handsworth Library – the community hub for Perry Barr constituency

Kings Heath Library – the community hub for Hall Green constituency

Mere Green Library – the community hub for Sutton Coldfield constituency

Northfield Library – the community hub for Northfield constituency

Quinton Library – the community hub for Edgbaston constituency

Ward End Library – the community library for Hodge Hill and North Solihull constituency

14 libraries would remain open but part time (around 14 hours a week)

Balsall Heath Library

Birchfield Library

Hall Green Library

Kings Norton Library

Kingstanding Library

Perry Common Library

Shard End Library

Sheldon Library

Small Heath Library

South Yardley Library

Sparkhill Library

Stirchley Library

Weoley Castle Library

Yardley Wood Library

4 x ‘co-location library offer’ which could see two buildings closed and relocated

Aston Library

Harborne Library

Selly Oak Library

Tower Hill Library

Seven could remain open through “partner-led service provision” with no council funding. Conversations are being held with partners – some have progressed in detail while some are in the initial stages

Bartley Green Library

Bloomsbury Library

Boldmere Library

Frankley Library

Glebe Farm Library

Sutton Coldfield Library

Walmley Library

One library would remain closed permanently

Spring Hill Library

The other options from the first phase of the library consultation are as follows:

1. Do nothing and retain 35 library buildings; the council has said this will not achieve savings
2. Keep Library of Birmingham and reduce community libraries to six but invest in co-located larger spaces and operations; the council says this does not meet statutory requirements.
3. Move from current 35 Community Libraries to a minimum of 11 Community Library Hubs (including Library of Birmingham) open six days per week with a BCC offer of Library services and Early Intervention and Prevention with colocations and partner-led provision opportunities.