Libraries consultation

About the consultation

The way people use library services has changed significantly, locally and nationally, over the last 5 years.

Since 2014, there has been a reduction in people visiting library buildings, but interest in our online activities and events, mobile service, click-and-collect offering, and home library service has increased.

Like many local councils, we continue to face a significantly challenging financial situation and need to make considerable budget savings across all our services. While savings have been announced, no decisions have yet been made about what the library service will look like in the future.

The consultation launched in April 2024.

We asked for people who live, work or study in Birmingham to help shape the future of the library service for the city.

The consultation outcomes will help inform the decisions the council will make after the consultation ends.

To find out more about the consultation, read the consultation documents:

Download all libraries consultation launch and final phase documents

Final consultation - corrected option 3 proposal - Be Heard comments survey

In the final phase of Libraries consultation, we based option 3 on library rankings. The rankings were generated by a priority list which balanced community need and usage and access data.

Subsequently, an error has been identified in the priority list rankings. This has been corrected and a revised option 3 produced which is included in the corrected option 3 pack.

This does not change the recommended option (option 4), however, we welcome comments on the revised option 3, details found on page 13 and 14 of the corrected option 3 pack.

The pack includes:

• the previous and corrected priority list ranking (pages 7,8 and 9) and includes updated usage and data figures (August 2023 to July 2024)
• the corrected option 3 results (pages 13 and 14)
• the revised option 4 proposal, previously shared 23 October to 3 November 2024 (page 17)

Previous comments submitted on the proposals will still be considered. Any previous comments relating to option 3, that has now changed, will be viewed with those changes in mind.

We are now asking for any new comments in light of the revised information.

Birmingham City Council is asking for all those who live, work or study in Birmingham for their views, comments and feedback on the proposed changes outlined in this communication. We encourage comment from both current library users and non-users.

Cabinet will be asked to make a decision on the final proposal in January 2025. We invite you to share your thoughts and comments on the options and the feedback will be included in the cabinet paper.

The survey is available on Birmingham Be Heard 

A paper version of the survey can be found at all Birmingham Libraries. Community languages and other formats are available on request.

You can also send comments to the existing libraries public consultation by emailing LibrariesPublicConsultation@birmingham.gov.uk.

Consultation final phase

The final phase of the Birmingham libraries consultation launched on Friday 23 August and closed on Friday 27 September 2024.

The final phase aimed to get your feedback on the options available for the future of Community Library Services.

This phase included a summary of the analysed feedback and data collected in the first phase of consultation. It also shared:

• proposed options
• a map of the proposed provision
• what the library offer could look like for Birmingham, based on the data gathered

Consultation outcome

Download the libraries consultation outcome and revised option 4 proposal

Changes to option 4 (recommended option)

Following the final phase of the libraries consultation, we have carefully considered your valuable feedback. The feedback highlighted the need for more equitable hours.

In response, we are now proposing a revision of option 4. This proposal is directly based on your input during the final phase of the consultation.

The main changes

• Hub location for Ladywood - feedback from the final in-person consultations shared that Library of Birmingham did not represent a Library Community Hub. Small Heath Library is now the proposed Library Community Hub for Ladywood.
• Hours per library for hubs and part-time libraries - feedback from the final consultation was that the disparity of 5-day and 2-day opening was too great and did not offer high footfall libraries enough provision. Hours have been redistributed on a 4-day (hub), 3-day and 2-day basis.

As with all libraries, there will be an opportunity for full-time opening, supported by internal and external partners, groups, and the community.

Changes to each library

Library	Previous proposed hours/week	Revised proposed hours/week	Reason for change of hours
Acocks Green Library	35	28	To allow increased hours across the city
Aston Library	14	14	No change
Balsall Heath Library	14	14	No change
Bartley Green Library	Partner led	Partner led	No change
Birchfield Library	14	21	Increase of hours based on usage
Bloomsbury Library	Partner led	Partner led	No change
Boldmere Library	Partner led	Partner led	No change
Druids Heath Library	35	28	To allow increased hours across the city
Erdington Library	35	28	To allow increased hours across the city
Frankley Library	Partner led	Partner led	No change
Glebe Farm Library	Partner led	Partner led	No change
Hall Green Library	14	21	Increase of hours based on usage
Handsworth Library	35	28	To allow increased hours across the city
Harborne Library	14	21	Increase of hours based on usage (co-location)
Kings Heath Library	35	28	To allow increased hours across the city
Kings Norton Library	14	21	Increase of hours based on usage
Kingstanding Library	14	14	No change
Mere Green Library	35	28	To allow increased hours across the city
Northfield Library	35	28	To allow increased hours across the city
Perry Common Library	14	14	No change
Quinton Library	35	28	To allow increased hours across the city
Selly Oak Library	14	14	No change
Shard End Library	14	21	Increase of hours based on usage
Sheldon Library	14	14	No change
Small Heath Library	14	28	Increase of hours - Ladywood Constituency Library Community Hub
South Yardley Library	14	21	Increase of hours based on usage
Sparkhill Library	14	21	Increase in hours based on usage
Spring Hill Library	Closure - closed since December 2022	Closure - closed since December 2022	No change
Stirchley Library	14	21	Increase of hours based on usage
Sutton Coldfield Library	Partner led	Partner led	No change
Tower Hill Library	14	14	No change (co-location)
Walmley Library	Partner led	Partner led	No change
Ward End Library	35	28	To allow increased hours across the city
Weoley Castle Library	14	21	Increase of hours based on usage
Yardley Wood Library	14	21	Increase of hours based on usage

Have your say on the proposal

You are invited to share your thoughts and comments on this revised option 4 and the proposed hours for each area.

The feedback form will be available from Wednesday 23 October to Sunday 3 November 2024:

Comment and share your views on the revised option 4 model

Next steps

The revised option 4 model will be presented to Cabinet for their decision in January 2025.

Your feedback will be included in the Cabinet paper.

---

Page last updated: 15 November 2024