Birmingham Loves Libraries

Calling all Brum library-loving crafters!🪡 Cabinet is due to make a decision about our libraries on Jan 21st. Before then, we want to create some crafted treasures that will remind them of the solace, care & knowledge libraries offer us all.🙏Let us know if you'd like to help❤️

From Jan 24 - Sep 24, the 6 Gov appointed commissioners were paid £803k in salary and expenses. All paid for by the Birmingham CC tax payer 🤯 they even get accommodation & meals paid for. If you can’t pay for your own food on a salary of £1100 a day 🤦🏼‍♂️ we’re being shafted.

@Ms_SThompson keep all Birmingham's Libraries open! That is the very best tribute @BrumLabour could pay to Benjamin Zephaniah, not meaningless words and platitudes. #SaveOurLibraries

Appalling to visit Harborne Day Centre today and see the place being stripped out by @BhamCityCouncil while highly vulnerable service users continue to use it. What kind of organisation behaves in this way? @joanneroney @RobPocock1 @PreetKGillMP @Harborne_Jayne @BrumLabour

Harborne Day Centre carers meeting earlier today. It’s disgraceful what’s going on whilst all the citizens are still there @PreetKGillMP @larry_turner @AlistairCarns @BrumLeader @RobPocock1

Brilliant piece by @MarkGoughITV @ITVCentral tonight on @BhamCityCouncil’s overpayments into the West Mids Pension Fund. @johnclancy @room_151 @JaneRockHouse @marymcdougall13 a short thread.

Gove-appointed Max 🪓Caller literally used the Powers of the Secretary of State even to stop @BhamCityCouncil’s own powers of scrutiny.

Ahead of the decision on cuts to Birmingham’s libraries, my story for The Literacy Trust highlights how vital they are: bit.ly/4gmRJkK @bhammobilelib @booktrust @adayinthelib @brumlibraries @StephenKing @janecaseyauthor @BirminghamWeAre @AnneLouiseAvery @EFernie

@BrumLibraries has provided a commentary on the current library proposals which has been sent to the members of the @BhamCityCouncil Neighbourhoods Overview & Scrutiny Committee to inform their consideration of the proposals. You can read them here: birminghamloveslibraries.org/post/overview-…

If you’re able to get along to this public meeting about Birmingham’s libraries on Thursday 4.30-6, please do!

Demo against swinging Birmingham City Council cuts on 28th January midday outside the council house. It may be 2025 but nothing’s changed since 2024 or for the last 14 years for that matter and all we get is yet more austerity. Say #NoMoreCuts #BrumRiseUp

One of the treasures Brum library lovers have made to present to a @BhamCityCouncil Cabinet Member ahead of their crucial vote on the future of our libraries this month. The treasure can be kept or gifted to a library or library staff. instagram.com/p/DEwgJVvIJRa/ @Craftivists

PUBLIC MEETING Let’s talk about libraries Thursday 16th January, 4.30-6pm At The Old Print Works Moseley Road Balsall Heath Birmingham B12 9AH

"Some 175 years after the Public Libraries Act, libraries remain critical for promoting literacy, particularly among those with less access to books at home. It is a sad reflection of austerity that so many public libraries have closed….” theguardian.com/books/2025/jan…

Hi @PreetKGillMP, any chance of pressing @BhamCityCouncil for a response to your letter? These are important questions which should have been addressed during the botched libraries consultation, but weren’t. @BrumLibraries @HallgreenSave @BrumLabour @Cllr_suleman

@martinibrooks @PreetKGillMP @BhamCityCouncil @BrumLabour I’d strongly encourage @PreetKGillMP to stand up to her govt, pause the cuts, replace the lead commissioner Max 🪓 Caller, and call for a recertification of the west Mids pension fund urgently.

We do not feel that Birmingham City Council has understood our concerns. We do not feel that they have tried to protect the most vulnerable. We once again call for the cuts to stop. This city does not need another austerity budget.

I am so excited to be hosting this online event, with @clarealees as chair interviewing @EFernie and colleagues representing arts & libraries in Birmingham.

Has your councillor spent their £40k (each) on improving local streets? We've launched a councillor survey to find out if they've spent their money and their experience of spending it. It's in councillor's inboxes now. Please remind yours to fill it in by 31 January!

Maybe its because I'm away from Birmingham for Christmas so can look in with a bit of distance... But I don't think i've ever felt so exasperated by the city authorities and its almost complete lack of care about anything that makes living here interesting or unique.