Birmingham Library was a "waste of money" say E&S readers
Almost 80 per cent of people answering an online poll believe the flagship Library of Birmingham was a waste of money.
In the poll carried out by the Express & Star asking if the library was a waste of money, 21 per cent of people thought it was a worthwhile investment.
It comes after the announcement that opening hours will be cut and staff numbers halved at the £189 million library as part of cutbacks — less than two years after it opened.
The library is bearing the brunt of heavy cuts by Birmingham City Council as they look to cut £113m from its 2015/2016 budget.
Council leader Sir Albert Bore said it was the end of local government as we know it.
At least 90 people are expected to lose their jobs from a workforce of 188 based at the library, which houses a renowned William Shakespeare collection.
The authority will make £1.3m savings at the library, a reduction from the original plan of cutting £1.5m.