Threatened libraries will not be closed But supporters told to rent space to keep them viable

TWO community libraries have been spared the axe but a third is still in the line of fire under revised plans from Birmingham council chiefs.

Plans to shut Aston Library have now been dropped entirely and Sutton Coldfield Library has been given a stay of execution until the end of August while talks to secure its long-term future carry on.

More than 2,000 people responded to plans to restructure Birmingham’s library service and cut £1.9 million from the budget.

The threat to Sutton Coldfield Library prompted a 6,500 name petitions and pledge of £150,000 funding from the Sutton Coldfield Town Council to keep it afloat.

Campaigners welcomed the stay of execution but warned that the business plan depended on finding a paying tenant for the top floor, as well as confirmation of a £150,000 contribution to running costs from the Sutton Coldfield Town Council.

The library is in the city councilowned Red Rose shopping centre.

Birmingham City Council will keep the facility open at least until the end of August and is optimistic its future will be secured by then.

But the Kents Moat Library, in Garrett’s Green, will be closed and services transferred to the nearby Glebe Farm Farm library.

Zoe Toft, of campaign group The Library Lobby, said: “Whilst this isn’t yet a done deal, it’s great news – perhaps the best we could possibly have hoped for. For this plan to blossom it is vital for community groups to step forward and become involved. We now need groups that are experienced in running cafes, activity groups, reading groups, support networks and other community events for which we know there to be a strong appetite and desire to see taking place in the library.”

City councillor Rob Pocock (Lab, Sutton Vesey) added: “This is a massive success, achieved by the community action of residents. All political groups across Sutton worked for this result, but it has to be said that the stunning and passionate work of the Library Lobby, a totally independent band of determined local

This is a massive success, achieved by the united community action of Sutton Coldfield

residents

people, made sive difference.” He thanked the council for listening to the campaigners.

Council deputy leader Ian Ward said: “When we launched our period of public consultation last year, I made it very clear that this was a genuine consultation.

“We’ve come up with a set of proposals that mean just one of our 37 community libraries will have to close, this being Kents Moat – being demolished any way as part of the Poolway re-development – which is some achievement given the budget challenge we face through government cuts.”

Cllr Rob Pocock

the deci-