Freeze on buying books for Birmingham libraries

Despite stating that it would be ‘examining future operating models’, the Council has implemented a ‘pause on the book fund’ in order to help make the ‘huge savings’ required of it.

Earlier this year, the Library of Birmingham, which opened in 2013 at a cost of £189 million, cut its opening hours to 40 hours a week to save money. Following the latest restrictions, it now permitted only to buy ‘collection books’ while the council will examine all other purchasing requests ‘on a case-by-case basis’.

Penny Holbrook, council cabinet member for skills, learning and culture, said: “As is well documented, we need to make huge savings across the council. We have been examining several future operating models for community libraries.

"However, as we are also reviewing the future operating model for the council as a whole it makes no sense to reorganise the libraries ahead of this."

Many of the 38 local libraries are now asking the public for donations of books published in the last 12 months in an attempt to maintain its visitors.

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