Can you help save our library services?

[MNBirminghamLocalEd]

Birmingham City Council is planning massive cuts to services, and libraries are expected to take a big hit, with a £2 million budget cut.

The opening of the excellent new Birmingham Library means councillors are considering widespread closures, more reliance on volunteers, and reduced opening hours in district libraries.

www.thebookseller.com/news/birmingham-faces-£2m-library-cuts.html
birminghamagainstthecuts.wordpress.com/tag/libraries/

Campaigners in Selly Oak district are holding a workshop next Wednesday, and are inviting people to come with ideas and suggestions for saving the library service:

Wednesday March 12, 1pm-3pm at Yardley Wood Library, Highfield Road, B14 4DU.

Many of you and your DCs will have been to free storytelling sessions and enjoyed borrowing 100s books and DVDs. If you have anything to contribute to the debate, tell your councillors - it's their job to listen.

It is terribly sad, but has to be looked at in the context of the hundreds of billions of £s of cuts they are being forced to make.

I don't think anyone would be pushed over the edge by not having so many hours of access to a library, in the same way they might be by cutting respite care; or the isolation that will be dealt out to all the folk who rely on Ring and Ride when they cut that; or the safeguarding issues that are arising from the cuts to children's services; or the cuts to the services that support vulnerable adults; or even, tbh, the lack of swimming baths.

Difficult times are forcing difficult decisions I'm afraid.