Brum loves Libraries! It REALLY Does!

4 weeks of capturing library stories in Birmingham at Druid’s Heath, Selly Oak and Stirchley Libraries. Eighteen workshops, 3 launch events, 40 recorded interviews and hundreds of interactions later, this is what we learned. The love for libraries is strong! 

Contrary to stories that libraries are underused, with footfall falling and book borrowing decreasing, we documented thriving community spaces which attracted readers and borrowers as well as community groups, art groups, nursery classes, school visits, pre schoolers, families, students, researchers, cafe users and passersby. 

For some it was a regular, crucial part of their weekly life that would be devastating to be without. For others it was a welcome space to serve an immediate purpose in a search for information or advice or a sit down with a cuppa as part of Birmingham Libraries “warm welcome”

At a hub library such as Selly Oak, on the premises of Touchbase Pears Sense building, the library was well used by Sense service users and staff, cafe visitors and dance workshop families. On a Monday morning for story time with the librarian, 19 children with one or both parents join in.   When asked what it meant having a library on site, the Sense reception staff were explicit:

“most queries we get are for the library: opening hours; when the librarian is in. When the book returns machine broke it was very stressful as I couldn’t help people. It just needs to be open more. It’s made me think I need to start reading more too, though.” 

At Stirchley Free Library, built in 1908, the sense of history is palpable, from the architecture surrounding you to the box of saved artefacts the Friends group have kept for Heritage open days. But it does not feel old in delivery. From biweekly  lego club to Stirchley Art Rooms twice a week, Book group to Rhyme time, the library responds to all its community, as far as two days opening  allows. Again, the talk is around opening hours and community space. A staff member tells me, “it may sound like an exaggeration but I feel like we’ve saved lives.” For the stressed parent, lonely pensioner, isolated student, school refuser, all of whom we chat to, it definitely doesn’t seem an exaggeration. 

The same is true at Druids Heath, “a lifeline” is how one regular disabled user described it:

“Book group used to meet here on a Saturday but then they closed it. It’s harder for people now as they’re at work. I’d be devastated if they closed this one, it’s the only thing there is here and I can get to it as I only live just over there.”

The Wise Wives Women’s group told us, “it’s the community space really. We used to meet at the church before it closed but luckily we could meet here.” 

For Al it was the selection and the place:

“I read graphic novels mainly. I don’t get books out much to take home, I like to read them in the library, it’s a quiet space to do it.” 

Not everyone uses a library all the time but what would our local communities be like without them? Talking to people who use them for so many different things, at different times, it is hard to think of anything that could replace this free, safe, welcoming space for all which make such a mark on their lives.