After protests, Birmingham saves 28 libraries, but 7 need community support. Closures affect Spring Hill & Tower Hill. Services face adjustments.
The main Library of Birmingham stays open six days. Ten libraries become “community hubs,” open four days. Fourteen others will open three days each week. Seven libraries need community partners to survive. These libraries would offer advice services and would get a new name: “Connected Communities.”
Spring Hill Library, serving Ladywood, is closing permanently. Tower Hill Library, which inspired author Lee Child, also shuts.
These changes are better than first planned cuts. The city council discussed this in a meeting, using public input and talking with groups.
A council member said this feedback helped them. She wants to keep library and advice services safe. The “Connected Communities” service will be open to everyone.
The Library of Birmingham will open six days a week and will have fast service many more hours.
Ten community libraries will open four days each week. It affects Acocks Green, Druids Heath and Erdington Library. Handsworth, Kings Heath, and Mere Green stay open, while Northfield, Quinton, Small Heath, and Ward End are included.
Thirteen community libraries have three days open. Balsall Heath Library reopens in 2026. Birchfield, Hall Green, and Kings Norton Library are affected. Kingstanding, Perry Common and Shard End Library join. Sheldon, South Yardley, Sparkhill, Stirchley are among the others, alongside Weoley Castle, and Yardley Wood.
Four libraries will stay open in shared spaces. Aston and Selly Oak Library stay as they are. Harborne Library wants a joint effort to remain. Tower Hill Library will close, and find a new shared place.
Seven libraries depend on community groups. If no help comes, they will close. Bartley Green, Bloomsbury, and Boldmere Library risk closure, with Frankley, Glebe Farm, Sutton Coldfield, and Walmley also in trouble.
The council says they listened to public worries, noting that libraries are important, especially for poorer areas.
The mobile library and library hours drop by a third. The goal is flexible library services and more mixed uses, said Kalvinder Kohli, stating libraries should be safe spaces to study and read, also helping people connect and seek advice.
Some people dislike service cuts by council staff, said the report. The council wants help from groups to run seven libraries. These groups will not get direct council money. The council will give books and digital access. They will invest £7.65 million in local assets.
Emma Lochery worries cuts happened due to government demands after bankruptcy. She urges rethinking Birmingham’s cuts, however, she said the council listened to citizens. She has questions about staff and libraries, some libraries will relocate or close. She will watch the council’s plans.
The original library budget was £6.16 million. Staff and building costs made up most of it. The new plan cuts the budget by 37%.
All library staff must reapply for fewer, new roles. The council will try to avoid layoffs.
Government commissioners back the changes. They see it as a model, depending on outside group support.
