Wednesbury library temporarily closed after asbestos was discovered
Black Country library closing for three weeks after asbestos was found
A popular library will be shutting its doors for three weeks after asbestos was discovered at the premises.
Council chiefs said Wednesbury Library in Walsall Street, Wednesbury, will be closing from October 5 while urgent building work to remove the material.The library will be closed for most of next month for specialist contractors to remove the asbestos
It is scheduled to reopen on October 26.
Some regular activities will be held at nearby Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery and Wednesbury Town Hall in Holyhead Road instead.
In the mean time users are urged to visit other local libraries which will be open for extended hours including Hill Top Library which will be open Tuesdays 9.30am to 5pm and Saturdays until 4pm, and Stone Cross Library will be open Wednesdays 9.30am to 1pm and Thursdays 9.30am to 1.30pm.
The council’s website stated: “We want to reassure everyone that there is no risk to current or previous library users, staff, neighbouring businesses or members of the public.
“While the library is closed, you can return books using the returns box at the front entrance. We are also extending opening hours at nearby libraries.
“We’re really sorry for any inconvenience, but we need to close the library completely so this work can be carried out safely. We know how important the library is to our community, and we can’t wait to welcome you back once this important work has been done.
The council said readers can visit any Sandwell library without having to register once more. A mobile library is operating in the borough and will call at the town while Wednesbury Library is closed.
It added that arrangements were being made with community groups to move their activities to other buildings during the period.
Up and coming events include a literary festival featuring a history talk titled Art Black Country by Brendan Clifford on October 27 at 1.30pm and An Afternoon of Football Memories with author David Bassett on November 4 at 2pm.
Wednesbury entertainer Brendan Hawthorne unveiled his latest book Menagerie of Lost Souls outside at the library in July 2026.
The new library opened in 1965 costing £2,865 and was eagerly welcomed by children who wanted to explore more than 3,000 books.
In the UK asbestos was commonly used in ceiling tiles and pipe lagging materials. Blue and brown asbestos were banned in 1985 and white asbestos in 1999.
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