Protesters condemn Library of Birmingham's reduced hours

The Friends of the Birmingham Public Library community group helped to organise the protest Credit: ITV Central

Protesters gathered outside the Library of Birmingham this evening following in opposition to new cuts to the Library's services.

The Library's opening hours have been reduced, meaning it will now be shut on Sundays. Protesters say Birmingham's economy will suffer as a result.

Protesters say closing the library at weekends will harm Birmingham's economy Credit: ITV Central

Birmingham City Council announced in December it needed to save £1.5 million from the library budget in 2015/16, and by 2018 it's predicted it will be cut by a total of £4million.

The council said it was with a "with a heavy heart" that they had to make the decision to reduce the hours.

The Library of Birmingham's new opening hours:

  • Monday & Tuesday: 11am - 7pm

  • Wednesday to Saturday: 11am - 5pm

  • Sunday: CLOSED

The council used loans to fund most of the library's £189m construction Credit: ITV Central

Last year the Library of Birmingham was the most visited free attraction in the UK outside of London, drawing in nearly 2.5 million visitors.