Calls for support for Library of Birmingham.

Calls for support for the Library of Birmingham have been made ahead of the Rally for Birmingham’s Public libraries to be held on Saturday 7th February 2015, National Libraries Day. Photographer

Vanley Burke whose archive resides at the LoB said “Your library needs you! You won’t value the Library until it’s gone.”

Benjamin Zephaniah called for Birmingham to make some noise. “Make some noise Birmingham. We don’t want our ‘New’ beloved library to suffer death by a thousand cuts.”

Hundreds of people are expected to gather outside the Library of Birmingham for the Rally to oppose the £1.5 milion proposed cuts to the new library. The cuts would result in library opening hours being reduced by 40% and over 100 library staff could lose their jobs.

The rally will hear from historian Prof Carl Chinn, photographer Vanley Burke, and crime writer Judith Cutler. Brian Lewis, Birmingham first Poet Laureate and Adrian Blackledge, Birmingham’s current Poet Laureate will perform some poetry and they will be joined by Serena Arthur, Birmingham Young Poet Laureate, 2014-15.

There will be a hug of the library with people linking arms around the library to express their support for the LoB at 1.15pm. At the end of the rally the 6,000 strong petition calling for the library cuts to be reversed will be presented to Cabinet member Cllr Penny Holbrook on the steps of the Birmingham Council House.