Fears that cost may lead to closures.

A Freedom of Information response on the physical state of Birmingham’s community libraries has revealed an estimated total repair bill of over £4 million, with 20 local libraries requiring repairs of £100,000 or more. The claim was made by the Friends of the Libraries of Birmingham after the request, which itself followed the recent publication of the city council’s ‘Developing Successful and Inclusive Communities’ Green Paper. This proposes that district committees review their local property portfolios and where possible close council buildings and integrate local council facilities.

Hall Green Library is identified as being in “poor condition generally and roof repairs are needed, possible concrete fatigue” at an estimated cost of £300,000. Kingstanding Library is described as “needs complete refurbishment including windows, decoration, lighting, flooring, heating, shelves etc” at an estimated cost of another £300,000. The information was taken from an adjusted appraisal of the condition of community libraries in 2011 and is based on outline estimates at that time.

The Friends group is concerned that the Community Libraries with the most expensive repairs will be most vulnerable for closure. £236,000, was allocated as capital for community libraries during 2013-14 and the group claims that the appraisal provides evidence of the neglect and underinvestment in the community libraries under the present and previous council administrations. They have also called upon the council to make a commitment that the city’s libraries will be repaired when necessary.

The group further claim that building and development of the Library of Birmingham will cost the city council over £7 million a year in capital charges for the next forty years with £3 million of this being taken from the Library of Birmingham budget. It is further claimed that the cost of one year’s capital charges on the Library of Birmingham would more than cover the cost of repairs to the local libraries.