We need to rally to save Sutton Library

DEAR Editor, Sutton Coldfield’s lovely library was eerily quiet as I entered the swing doors on Friday morning, March 31.

Sitting by the stairs was a self-propelled, environmentally-friendly drinks machine, from which the owner later dispensed some excellent coffee.

Climbing the stairs to the library, the atmosphere was appropriately quiet with people browsing books and working on the computer terminals, but did this silence reflect the cloud hanging over the library?

Moving forward I heard the sounds of children excitedly reacting to a storyteller. Spotting a table full of delicious-looking cakes I realised there was a party going on and it was a great, but in some ways sad, celebration of the 80th birthday of our library. Inaugurated in 1937 and following the admirable principles of the Free Library movement, the library has served the community well. The party was light hearted with perhaps a shadow of closure hanging over it. We could argue the reasons for the shadows, from the financial problems of 2008 and the austerity measures deemed necessary, to the inappropriate political blame apportioned to Birmingham City Council which is itself a victim of the austerity.

Following the children’s story we were wonderfully entertained by the Artume String Quartet of the Birmingham Conservatoire. Local historian and author Stephen Roberts gave a fascinating talk based on his book on Victorian life in Birmingham.

I was sorry to learn that the Sutton Town Council has withdrawn its proposed support to maintain the library to the year end which would have allowed amicable talks with the local authority to take place. This would have been real community support for the town and will, regrettably, be seen as the town council missing a vital opportunity to show an interest in something of great interest to all children and adults.

Come on town council and local authority,