Words by Erdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
Tireless local Councillor Gareth Moore and I recently met senior officers and the Cabinet Member at Erdington Library to discuss the urgent need for repairs, a library provision during the current closure and to inspect the damage that the library has suffered.
We also since have held a public meeting to update residents on the latest and the next steps.
Sadly the damage to the roof has been significant, part of the ceiling has now fallen down and there has been significant water ingress.
Birmingham City Council have reiterated, following our campaign to save Erdington Library, they are committed to repairing and reopening the library.
We have secured the following repairs: roof and skylights to be replaced, damaged plaster repaired, single glazed windows replaced, public toilets reinstated, lighting upgraded, reinstate hot water in staff areas, inspections of stone coping and underground heating pipework.
It’s vital that residents have a library service locally. So before the work begins, we’ve asked the Council to reopen the community room for bookings and book drop off.
With work expected to take around a year, longer term we are working with the Council to find a temporary location to house a library service for Erdington as well as for increased visits from the mobile library truck.
The Mobile Library will now visit the High Street every Wednesday 12.30pm-2.30pm – starting Wednesday 25 March and one Saturday per month 3.10pm-4.00pm – starting Saturday 11 April.
For more from Erdington’s Councillor Robert Alden and Councillor Gareth Moore visit www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews
After just over 40 yrs working for Birmingham Library Service, I started my working life in Erdington Library 1970-1979 aged 17 . Now 73 I have very fond memories of this lovely building. Erdington needs this Community service. Very sad news.