Acocks Green LIbrary Reopens Tuesday 4 March

Not much more to say, but as things stand, we should be reopening after a final deep clean, a couple of days to reinstall the IT hardware and then put the books back in order. It has been a long haul - although somewhat faster than the eighteen months South Yardley Library was closed a few years back.

It is really good to see the service back up and running in Acocks Green - people really value it and I'm delighted that we've given it a new lease of life.

Acocks Green Library Update

The latest information is that the planned date for the building to be handed back is the 19 February, so giving the librarians time to put things back into good order, then we should see the library reopening by the end of February. I'll confirm it all once we have some certainty behind it.

Library Update

The saga of Acocks Green Library finally has an end in sight.

Decoration, improved lighting, replacement flooring and a few other items are to be completed this week, with a snagging meeting next Monday 3 February. If that goes according to plan, then we hope to have the building handed back on the 7 February, which will allow a deep clean, the restoration of the IT facilities and then a reopening.

I can't yet confirm a precise date, as that depends on the outcome of the snagging meeting, but I'd hope for one within ten days or so of the handback, allowing Acocks Green Library to return to its position at the centre of the community.

Acocks Green Library Update

Work will restart this week to complete the repairs to the library - it is on course for handover towards the end of the month, weather permitting. We have to complete some additional works, including improving the lightning protection for the building, repairs to the concrete lintel and staircase in the staff area, repairs to the fascia and also much needed repairs to the ramp and the external brickwork. We'll also try to fit in some internal redecoration of the library if the budget allows.

Acocks Green Library Repairs Update

Before.....

I attended another of the regular progress meetings at the library on Tuesday and work is continuing well. Re-roofing is now complete on all three roof sections and the roof lights are installed on the two smaller roof sections. The weather has been generally quite kind, although it has caused some delays and the external work won't be complete until the 20th December.

You can see the difference in the two pictures. The old rooflights, dingy and sealed with flashband (a temporary water proofing measure at best) have been replaced with new, identical uPVC units, which are double glazed and designed to retain heat. Each of these units is assembled in the factory to check that they meet the bespoke size requirements, then taken to bits for powder coating before being delivered to site and reassembled again. The dodecahedronal units on the lower roof will be the most complicated of the lot (there are four or five different designs of roof light up there in total).

The library will be noticeably lighter once this work is done. Because this project has been managed under budget, we're also improving the ventilation by installing powered openers on selected windows to give a better flow of air in the warm months.

Roof fixed and skylights replaced

The photo below shows the water damage above one of the windows on the stairwell in the staff area. The surveyor reports back that this is not merely cosmetic - the lintel will need to be replaced. This will require significant internal and external structural scaffolding to support the roof while the work is completed and is more substantial than first thought.

Again, thanks to careful management of costs, we're able to get this work done. Originally, the roof above this wasn't planned to be replaced, although the condition was at least as poor as the main roof sections above the lending library itself.

Water damaged lintel

Once the externals are completed and after the Christmas break, the internal work - making good and repainting - has to be done. Some of this work could perhaps have been completed during normal closure days, but that would have meant further disruption, so we have decided to keep the library closed until the work is completed.

Unfortunately, this means that we aren't likely to get the library handed back until around the 17th January and it will take at least a week to ten days to return the library to a suitable condition to be opened to users (South Yardley took a fortnight, but that had been completely stripped for well over a year), so the aim is that we should be back in business by the end of January at the very latest.

Library repairs update

I had another meeting with the contractors today to discuss progress on the library. As you can see from the photo, the first of the new lanterns is being installed (there are over a dozen and there are five different designs on the roof). Double-glazed and with solar-reflective glass in them, they will make a difference to the warmth of the library during the winter.

So far, eleven days have been lost to the weather and the forecast isn't good for the days ahead. This means that the handover date may be delayed - it looks unlikely that we'll get the library handed back by the 13th December as originally planned and the earliest date for handover looks to be the 20th December, but that is still weather-dependent. What that means is that we are likely to see the library reopen early in the New Year, once the building has been returned to a useable condition, which will take about a week after it is handed back to us.

Acocks Green Library Update

Another site meeting yesterday and another progress report.

The top roof is now almost complete and delivery of the first set of three replacement skylights is due within the week. The new double-glazing units are coated to reflect heat, so will offer additional energy saving over the current plain glass panels.

Weather has taken about three days' work out of the project so far, but there is enough slack at the moment so that the repairs should complete on time before Christmas. It is not likely, however, given the time for handover and recommissioning of the library, that it will reopen to the public until after Christmas.

Update - Library Repairs

Floors, shelves and books protected and scaffolding up inside

This morning, I attended the first of the regular meetings about the progress of repair work to the library. The roof covering is being replaced, along with all the skylights. Fortunately, we've managed to get the price down so that we're able to do the whole roof (the previous plans only envisaged two thirds of it being done, with a chunk over the staff areas being left to rot, even though water damage is apparent).

You won't see a lot from the front - the parapet at the top is far higher than you think at about 3m. Work is underway scaffolding the building and the internals have all been protected and wrapped properly. There are a few asbestos tests planned in for the start of next week - ones that couldn't be done until work is ready to start, owing to the destructive nature. The outcome isn't expected to cause any major delays, as they are most likely to only require a shift in working practice rather than outright removal.

Final designs of the roof lights are still to be agreed with the conservation officer, but the lead time on the replacement units is such that this isn't going to cause a delay. Similarly, we're just finalising the type of glass to go into the roof elements of the rooflights - it will probably be a self-cleaning, heat reflecting glass - while the side panels will be clear glass.

Up on the roof - four different types of roof lights in this space

The contractors are aware of the war memorial to the front of the building and there will be no need to restrict access. They have also been reminded of the need to show particular respect around any services held on Monday 11 November.

Currently, we're still on budget and on course to complete site works by the 13 December. After that, there will be some delay while the library staff get themselves back into their home, but hopefully no more than a week.

As always, keep an eye on the blog for the next update - probably in about a fortnight.

Library Update

We're on course for closure as planned. The staff will spend most of next week preparing the building and should hand over the keys to the contractors on Monday 2 September. Then they have to install the scaffolding, heavy duty protection to the carpets, shelving and the model train collection and carry out a few more tests while they are mobilising materials and people to the site. Although the building is locally listed, it isn't statutorily listed, but the design of the new roof lights will be very similar to that already used on the listed buildings in Kings Heath and Selly Oak.

All being well, we'll be looking to have the building back just before Christmas. There will be regular meetings while the repairs are carried out, so I'll keep you up to date on progress.

Don't forget that books already on loan can be returned to any other library, but there's no fine payable if you wait to return it to Acocks Green.

From Monday 2 September, South Yardley Library will be open extra hours to partly fill the gap while Acocks Green is closed:

Monday 9am - 7pm

Tuesday 9am - 5pm

Wednesday 9am - 5pm

Thursday 9am - 7pm

Friday 9am - 5pm

Saturday 9am - 5pm

Acocks Green Library - Temporary Closure from Tuesday 27 August 2013

After intervention from Stewart and myself, we've now received revised pricing on the work to the roof and a solution has been found that keeps the work within the allocated funding and allows the full replacement of the roof, we can now look to set a date. Amazingly, the initial plans only allowed replacement of the roof over the public areas and would have allowed continued leaking into the staff areas at the rear left of the building - some of the damage there already is quite worrying.

It is proposed that the library will be closed from Tuesday 27 August for an initial week to allow preparation of the building for work - we have also instructed that some additional protection is put in place for the train displays at the rear of the building. The contractors should move in from the 2 September to start work for about 12 weeks.

All groups that currently use the library will be temporarily relocated and any books out on loan can be returned to any other library. South Yardley Library will start extended opening hours from the 2 September. If you can't get the books back to other libraries, don't worry - no fines will be incurred if you wait until Acocks Green reopens.

I am inquiring as to whether we can push the closure date back to the end of the school holidays and will update you if that can be done - although I am concerned that we get the work done as soon as possible and before autumn and winter return.

After discussions with the local service manager, we've agreed that the closure date will remain as it is. There are sound administrative reasons that make the original date sensible. It will be inconvenient, as all closures are, but the library team need the time to complete the handover and establish new working regimes.

Not a bad couple of days

Not a bad day all round - I had a really good afternoon at the Council House with the young people from the House of Play and Education who were on a guided tour of the building and asked some key questions. Even there, wheelie bins came up for discussion.

I had a quick phone call from the police about some offensive graffiti on Starcross Road, which they had reported and been promised removal by Amey by September 4th. Knowing which buttons to press, I had that graffiti removed within an hour.

And now, after raising a bit of grief over the delays from the contractor on moving forward the repairs to Acocks Green Library roof, it looks as though we might be getting closer. We've got a price which is now within the budget and are moving towards a pre-start meeting. No dates yet, but we look to be more or less on the way now!

Add to that yesterday's highly effective meeting with CENTRO, NXWM and the LSTF design team and it has been a rather productive couple of days.

Still time for the week to go wrong, though.

Library Update

Just a quick paragraph about Acocks Green Library. Stewart and I attended a site meeting this morning with representatives of the contractors and the City Council. We've confirmed that the asbestos testing is to be carried out around the roof lights on Friday, with scaffolders on site to provide temporary towers around each of the areas so that the testing can be completed as quickly as possible. It is expected to be done within the day, but there is a possibility that it might run over into Saturday.

The testing is only usually done close to the start of work because it is destructive - physical samples have to be removed from the fabric of the building.

We'll have the results of that testing early next week and that should allow us to move forward reasonably rapidly to get the works properly underway.

Library Update - 9 May - Closure postponed

The closure planned for this Saturday has been postponed.

Last week's meeting identified some asbestos testing that needs to be carried out prior to the work starting and the advice then was that it needed to be done with the building closed and just in advance of work. Following a more detailed risk assessment, it has been clarified that we can carry this work out on a Friday when the library is closed as normal. Once we know the results, then we'll have a clearer idea of how to progress.

As our aim is to keep the library open as much as possible, it would be wrong to close the library and have it standing unused for any longer than we actually need to. Stewart and I are both anxious to avoid the mess that saw South Yardley out of action for a year and a half while problems were put right.

This is a reversal of an announcement earlier in the week, but as we are now able to keep the library open, this is the right decision to take. Sorry for any inconvenience caused and I will try to keep people up to date on progress.

Library Update

After a site meeting on Friday, we now have a confirmed date for the start of the temporary closure. Acocks Green library will close this Saturday, the 11 May, to allow for preparations to hand over to the contractors on the 24 May, with work planned to start on the 28 May. Reopening is planned for early September. 

South Yardley library will pick up the strain and will open all day on Wednesdays to provide extra access:

Monday 9am-7pm

Tuesday 9am - 5pm

Wednesday 9am - 5pm

Thursday 9am - 7pm

Friday 9am - 5pm

Saturday 9am - 5pm

(Note that it will be closed on Monday 27 May for the Bank Holiday)

I will keep you updated on progress. 

Acocks Green Library Update (Again)

We now have a revised closure date for the repair works required to the library. It was planned for Saturday 23 Feb, but it now looks as though the library will close on the 28 March.

Works are planned to start on the 2 April and complete on the 21 June.

In the meantime, South Yardley Library will be opening extended hours to support residents of Acocks Green:

• Mon 9am to 7pm
• Tue 9am to 5pm
• Wed 9am to 5pm
• Thu 9am to 7pm
• Fri 9am to 5pm
• Sat 9am to 5pm

Temporary Library Closure

Despite government pressure on Birmingham City Council's capital spending, Cllr Stacey and I can confirm that we have protected the money put aside to repair the roof of Acocks Green Library.

The closure date has been confirmed as Saturday 23 February to allow for preparatory work to allow the contractors to start on the 4th March. The work to the roof and skylights should take about 12 weeks in all.

Cllr Stacey and I will be keeping a close eye on the works.

In the meantime, South Yardley Library will be opening extended hours to support residents of Acocks Green:

• Mon 9am to 7pm
• Tue 9am to 5pm
• Wed 9am to 5pm
• Thu 9am to 7pm
• Fri 9am to 5pm
• Sat 9am to 5pm

Stewart and I put a lot of effort into trying to sort out an alternative service in Acocks Green, but were unsuccessful in securing a suitable location, despite some advanced negotiations.

NOW UPDATED!

Acocks Green Library Update

Just to let people know - the temporary closure has been delayed for the time being as the contractor isn't ready to start work yet.

Temporary Library Closure from 31 December

Acocks Green Library will close for essential roof repairs on the 31 December 2012. There will be a short hand over period to the builders and work is due to start on the 7th January, with a planned reopening date in early April 2013. Stewart and I will both be keeping a close eye on the works, as when South Yardley library closed for repairs, it took eighteen months to reopen.

Sadly, we've been unable to secure an alternative local site in the meantime, despite some very hard work by the officers and local groups, but we will be able to offer additional opening hours at South Yardley library, just a short hop away on the 11 bus towards the Swan Island.

PLANNED SOUTH YARDLEY LIBRARY OPENING HOURS 
Mon - 9am - 7pm (extended)
Tue - 9am - 5pm
Wed - 9am - 5pm (new)
Thu - 9am - 7pm
Fri - 9am - 5pm
Sat - 9am - 5pm

These should apply from when the library reopens after the New Year holidays until services transfer back to Acocks Green, when normal hours will resume.

If there are any further updates, I'll let everyone know.

EDIT: The closure and repairs have been delayed as the contractors won't be ready in time. More when I get it.

Avoiding another Library LibDemLetDown

When I was elected in May and Stewart and I became the Labour majority on the Ward Committee, we were delighted to see that repairs were planned to the leaky roof of our library, long neglected. What shocked us was that no plans had been put in place for alternative facilities while the library was closed - a period of some twelve weeks.

Given that this is one of the most popular libraries in the city and at the heart of our community, we didn't think that this was satisfactory. It doesn't just offer books, it provides a home for the neighbourhood office and crucial access to IT. Yardley has a real problem with a growing digital divide - the uptake of internet access is behind the curve here, so we need the facilities that the library can offer. Under the Lib Dems, Sutton Coldfield and South Yardley library were left closed for months with no alternative facilities other than the nearest library. Stewart and I didn't think that was good enough, so over the past few months, we've been working hard on a temporary alternative site and working through a number of options, negotiating with suppliers and potential landlords to drive a hard bargain with our limited funds.

Once we've finalised the details, we'll be able to announce more, but it is planned to be very close to the library. It won't offer the full range of services that the current building does, but it will offer a limited book borrowing service and also access to IT. The rooms used are accessible for all and should allow a good service to be maintained.

Just another example of how Labour are determined to be different and determined to deliver.

Acocks Green Library

Let's be clear about the situation with Acocks Green Library. It is a key community facility and all those of us who live here are lucky to have such a well-used building - my family have always used it.

The Liberal Democrat/Conservative council in Birmingham have developed a 'revised operating model' for libraries in Birmingham that would see key sites like Acocks Green and South Yardley allocated enough money to open for 40 hours a week (usually 4 weekdays and a Saturday, with one late night). That would be reduction from the current 5 weekdays and Saturday model in Acocks Green, which requires 50 hours to service.

At last week's Constituency Committee, the Liberal Democrats forced through a decision to use Community Chest funding to pay for the additional ten hours required to make up the difference - but only for six months. Labour wanted this decision taken locally at the next ward committee meeting in May - just as the Liberal Democrats did in Sheldon this month, with a chance to consult with you, the electorate.

FACT: As things stand at the moment, in autumn 2012, Acocks Green library will face a cut of ten hours. 

This coming year, Yardley constituency faces other cuts of roughly £1 million, plus £312,000 of cuts that the Liberal Democrats failed to make this year, plus repaying an end of year overspend - currently forecast to be £454,000 - and also overspend from 2010-11, also under Liberal Democrat control.

They failed to identify any areas of spending that will face the axe after the elections, despite repeated attempts by me to get them to tell the electorate in advance where the cuts would be made. They don't want us to know - they just want to kick the can down the road past the elections.

All this comes against the background of unfair cuts imposed upon Birmingham by the Tories and their Liberal Democrat cronies - each of us faces cuts of £164 per person. Wokingham faces cuts of just £20 per person. The West Midlands are cutting police officers - Surrey are hiring more. Is that fair?

Why won't the Liberal Democrats stand up for Birmingham?

Labour promise to do so. Within days of winning power in Birmingham, Labour will ask all the political parties to support a demand for Birmingham's fair share.