Library still 'temporarily' closed two years later

Spring Hill Library still has temporary closure notices up

A 130-year-old library which temporarily closed two years ago remains shut with no date given for its reopening.

Spring Hill Library, housed in a grade II-listed, red brick Victorian building near Birmingham city centre, is shuttered due to what bosses call "issues with the building".

The city council is considering closing a number of its library buildings as part of efforts to drastically reduce its budget and Spring Hill has been recommended for permanent closure. The consultation is ongoing.

Campaigners said its failure to reopen has given Birmingham City Council an excuse to save money. The council has not yet responded to a request for a comment.

A statement on the council's website said a new heating solution was required for the library due to the age and state of pipework in the building,

"A feasibility study has been approved to obtain a quote for a new boiler," it said adding news would be added once the works have been scheduled.

The library shares an entrance with a busy Tesco superstore and hundreds of people walk past it every day.

Emma Lochery says libraries are under threat in Birmingham

Emma Lochery, from the Birmingham Loves Libraries campaign group, said the "beautiful and iconic" building dated back to the 1800s and had been well used over the years.

"Once libraries close their doors it's very difficult to get those doors open again," she said.

"These libraries are treasures that the city council is responsible for taking care of. I think it's important they remember that."

The library shares an entrance with a Tesco

Renita Clarke, from nearby Winson Green, said she used to take her children to the library and use the computers there.

"To come back and see the signs on it is a bit of a disappointment," she said.

"It's a waste of books and it's a waste of a space that could be used for children. It could be used for a lot of things."

It has been 'temporarily' closed for more than two years

Recommended proposals for libraries across Birmingham would see the council withdraw all council staff and funding from seven locations, including Spring Hill.

So-called "community partners" would be found to keep them going instead, with a report expected to be presented to cabinet members in January.

Councillor Chaman Lal says the library has been discussed in the past

Chaman Lal, Lord Mayor of Birmingham and councillor for Soho and the Jewellery Quarter, said it was not the first time the library had been discussed.

"I fought very hard in the past to keep this library open and I would like to see it reopened again," he said.

"Under the current financial situation of the council it is very difficult for me to say when this library will be reopened."

The building was designed by Birmingham architects, Martin and Chamberlain, and opened on 7 January 1893.