Council plans upgrade work on libraries

SITES IN 'POOR STATE OF DISREPAIR'

- ALEXANDER BROCK Local Democracy Reporter

WORK to refurbish and upgrade up to ten libraries across Birmingham is set to take place amid safety fears.

The future of the city's libraries have been at the heart of a battle between campaigners and the crisis-hit city council amid unprecedented cuts to services.

A report earlier this year said the Labour authority's plans for the service would see opening hours for 'council-led statutory library provision' drop from 1,049 to 763 hours a week.

Now the council wants to carry out work after acknowledging several libraries are in a “poor state of disrepair”.

“The proposal is to roll out a programme of works to refurbish and upgrade up to 10 libraries to bring them up to a reasonable condition and extend the buildings' life,” a report said.

“This forms phase one of the investment works.