Libraries consultation

About the consultation

The way people use library services has changed significantly, locally and nationally, over the last 5 years.

We are asking for people who live, work or study in Birmingham, and who want to access the service, to help shape the future of the library service for the city.

As more people use technology in their lives, more people are accessing library collections digitally for the flexibility of using the service at a time that suits them.

Since 2014, there has been a reduction in people visiting library buildings, but interest in our online activities and events, mobile service, click-and-collect offering, and home library service has increased.

Like many other local councils, we continue to face a significantly challenging financial situation and are required to make considerable budget savings across all our services.

While savings have been announced, no decisions have been made on what the library service will look like in the future. The consultation outcomes will help inform decisions that will be taken by the council after it has ended.

To find out more about the consultation before you take part, we suggest that you read the consultation documents.

Consultation documents

Consultation launch documents

Download Birmingham libraries consultation 2024 FAQs

Download Birmingham's Strategic Framework for Library Services

Download libraries consultation launch pack

View Libraries Needs Assessment Dashboard

Download Libraries Needs Assessment appendix

Consultation final phase documents

Download consultation final phase FAQs

Download consultation final phase launch pack

Consultation final phase

The final phase of the Birmingham libraries consultation launches on Friday 23 August and closes on Friday 27 September 2024.

The final phase aims to get your feedback on the options available for the future of Community Library Services.

This final phase will include a summary of the analysed feedback and data collected in the first phase of consultation. It will also share:

• proposed options
• a map of the proposed provision
• what the library offer could look like for Birmingham, based on the data gathered

Everyone who lives, works and studies in Birmingham will have the chance to shape a better library service that will benefit people across our city for years to come, so we encourage you to have your say in the weeks ahead.

Councillor Saima Suleman, Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, said:

Thank you to the thousands of residents from across Birmingham who had their say on the future of our library service during the first phase of our library consultation.

We aimed to capture the thoughts of those who live, work, study and have an interest in the city and its library services in our updated proposals which we have published today.

Under our new proposals, we have shared what the future of our library service could look like, with our recommended option providing 28 building-based libraries funded by BCC which includes a community library hub in each constituency.

There is also potential for up to 34 Library based buildings with the inclusion of partner led libraries.

Crucially, in our community library hubs we will offer people the support that they need – from benefits advice to housing support, we will help to prevent people from falling into crisis, ensuring that people can access the support that they need in their neighbourhood.

These options will now be shared in the final phase of the libraries consultation which will allow you to have your say on the proposed outcomes at each one of our community libraries.

Have your say during the final phase

Complete our survey

The new online survey aims to capture your feedback on what the future of our library service at our community libraries could look like under the proposed options.

Complete the survey on Be Heard

The survey opens on Friday 23 August and closes on Friday 27 September 2024.

Attend an in-person consultation session

The in-person consultations will take place from 2 September to 26 September 2024.

These will be drop-in sessions, so you do not need to book to attend.

Download list of in-person consultation sessions

Next steps – final phase

After the final phase of the consultation, the council team will analyse the results and present them at the council’s Cabinet meeting later in the year.

Final decisions will not be made until after the meeting, and we will share the results, in advance, across the council’s channels.

Page last updated: 22 September 2024