Consultations to help us reshape

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

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: 23 October 2024

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