Save Dudley Libraries

10/03/2025

Each battle to save local public services builds on the successes and experience of previous campaigns.

The recent achievement of the campaign to keep Dudley Leisure Centres run as a public service drew on the earlier experience we all had in fighting library cuts.

Libraries and sports facilities should both be part of public service dedicated to the health of local people.

If you're interested in staying in touch on the issue of the leisure centres, be sure to follow the campaign here: https://www.facebook.com/share/168M6VHnG6/

Or on Instagram here:
https://www.instagram.com/dudley_unison?igsh=MWNzNnJsanYyM250aA==

11/02/2024

“On a cold, rainy island, they are the only sheltered public spaces where you are not a consumer, but a citizen instead…where the wealthy’s taxes pay for you to become a little more extraordinary”

Save Birmingham Libraries

04/08/2023

Solidarity with the campaign to save mobile libraries in Devon

Our campaign to SAVE DEVON’S MOBILE LIBRARIES has made it to the front page of the North Devon Gazette!

Please do keep sharing our petition and sign if you haven’t already done so…

✍️ https://www.change.org/SaveOurMobileLibrary

Thank you! 🙏

23/07/2023

The leadership of Dudley Council is questioned on why they proposed the 30% cut in libraries and archives in March. Their reply?
"We *assumed* that savings could be made... on the new contract"

They just assumed. Was it nothing more that that? If that was all it was, then how casual they were. How lightly they were willing to make a decision which would destroy a service built up over decades. And how much they took for granted the people who deliver, use and depend on that service.

08/07/2023

Here's our simplified, graphic history of the attempt by Dudley Council to cut our library & archive service: the story of £1.44m worth of cuts planned ... then scrapped
Dudley Trades Union Council
Dudley Students' Union
Friends Of Gornal Library
Friends of Netherton Library
Friends of Cradley Library
Friends of Dudley Archives
Friends of Long Lane Library
Friends of Kingswinford and Wordsley Libraries
TUC Midlands

06/07/2023

Tonight, faced with the massive support for libraries and archives from our campaign, the Cabinet of Dudley Council have decided to recommend to the full Council Meeting that the plans for budget cuts be reversed.

Let's all be outside the full Council Meeting on Monday to make sure the planned cuts are thrown out completely!

05/07/2023

A library story on the anniversary of the NHS

05/07/2023

The position of libraries up and down the county remains under threat. Please sign and share this petition

Libraries across the country are being closed, cut back and/or outsourced to volunteers as a result of government cuts to local authority budgets. Many councils are struggling to keep staffed library services open when faced with the competing demands of social care, child protection etc.

02/07/2023

While we've every reason to be proud of what our campaign has achieved in the last three months, we know that the protection of free public services is a long-term project.

We have defended the libraries and archives for now. But, as many have rightly said, we absolutely need to stay on our guard.

We only need to look at our history to be reminded of that. Fifteen years ago, Dudley Council tragically closed several libraries in the face of opposition. Many of our supporters are veterans of both campaigns - and we have certainly benefitted from their experience this time.

Here's an example of one letter-writer who was involved in both (first letter from the Express & Star in May 2008, second letter from the Birmingham Mail last month).

30/06/2023

Our campaign meeting last night decided to re-focus the lobby we've organised on Monday 10th July.

The Council Cabinet report which proposes cancelling the cuts to libraries and archives is now publicly available and, all being well, the meeting next Thursday (6th) will agree to propose the report to the full Council the following week.

The purpose of our event on Monday 10th is both to keep the pressure on so that the Council does indeed approve the removal of the cuts, as well as to celebrate the success of our campaign. We are expecting speakers, music and an upbeat atmosphere.

If you can, please bring food to share, but most importantly, bring yourselves! The last three months have seen a great demonstration of solidarity and support for libraries and archives. Let's make the event a positive celebration of everyone's contribution to our campaign.


TUC Midlands
Dudley Trades Union Council
Dudley Students' Union
Friends of Dudley Archives
Friends of Cradley Library
Friends of Long Lane Library
Friends of Kingswinford and Wordsley Libraries
Friends Of Gornal Library
Friends of Netherton Library

28/06/2023

What an amazing achievement by everyone who contributed to our campaign.

This victory belongs the thousands of trade unionists, library users (past and present), and residents who gave their time and energy to and archives

Dudley Council denies it is a U-turn, but campaigners want further guarantees.

27/06/2023

This statement is made on behalf of the campaign and in response to comments from Conservative politicians on social media and in the press:

“If the threat to libraries has now been removed, then that is to be very much welcomed, but the statements made on behalf of the Council are ambiguous.

Our campaign has never been just about preventing the closure of the buildings. Our campaign was prompted by the proposal from the controlling group on the Council to cut the libraries and archives budget by 30%. This was made public in their budget plans for the three years up to 2025/26.

What we are looking for is a clear statement from the leadership of the Council that these proposals to cut the budget have now been withdrawn. We have written to the Leader today to ask that that commitment be given. We would like clarity and detail on the new proposals, so that staff and users can be reassured that their libraries and archives service will be fully protected.

We are not just opposed to the closure of library and archives buildings, we have always been opposed to cuts in paid staff, reductions in opening hours, and anything which degrades the current library and archives services. We want to see investment in these services, not cuts. So, until we receive written confirmation from the Council that the cuts have been withdrawn, our campaign will continue.

In the meantime, we believe that all the credit for any positive changes which take this week belongs to the thousands of people who have supported our campaign – all the people who have given up their own time and energy to defend a service which should never have been threatened in the first place."