Sadness as chapter ends for library

The first library to be axed as part of a Black Country council's controversial modernisation programme has shut its doors for the final time.

The book closed on Wall Heath library on Saturday. The site is one of five libraries earmarked for the chop as part of Dudley Council's £2.6 million programme to rejuvenate the service.

It is the first to be axed, with Amblecote and Woodside libraries among those which will be ditched. Wall Heath councillor Lynn Boleyn, who campaigned for the library to be retained, said the closure was a big loss.

"It is a very sad day and obviously the staff are very upset, as are the users of the library," she said.

"It's the National Year of Reading and Dudley Council are making a big thing about that. But I think they are sending very mixed messages to people because on the other hand they are closing five libraries. We have done all we can to save the library but unfortunately at the end of the day the council wouldn't listen to us."

The building could soon start a new chapter as a shop under plans being considered by Dudley Council. An application to convert the Wall Heath building was submitted to planners just days before the library closed for good.

The proposal, entered by Mrs Wade of Cross Street, Wall Heath, is for a change of use from a library to retail premises. Councillor Boleyn said she would support whoever took over the building.

She said: "It's in a lovely little precinct and I wish the new owners the best of luck and hope they make a go of it."

And she added she hoped the council might consider installing a smaller link library in Wall Heath to soften the blow.

She said: "Libraries don't just lend out books, they are a lifeline to many people, and children and local residents use the computers in the libraries."