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Libraries continue to be a political football
Bristol’s libraries have for years been used as a political football.
Councillors in power have suggested ‘cost-savings’ and then heralded themselves as saviours when deciding those efficiencies should in fact not happen, before then criticising any proposed budget cuts when in opposition.
Not even Central Library is safe from the shenanigans, with plans to move the library mooted in a draft budget by former mayor Marvin Rees but then scrapped following an outcry, conveniently before a by-election.
is needed now More than ever
There is currently a petition to ‘save Bristol’s libraries’ started by Bristol’s Labour leader, and former cabinet member, Tom Renhard.
Almost 5,000 people have signed the petition, which says that “Bristol’s libraries are under threat again”.
But the current ruling administration, with a Green Party council leader and both Green and Lib Dem councillors sitting as chairs of policy committees, now say that the £5m library budget for 2026 “has been protected in full”.
Council leader Tony Dyer went as far as to say that Labour “have been spreading misinformation about library closures, causing unnecessary distress to library staff and users”.
Dyer said that Renhard’s petition is “a desperate and despicable attempt to sow fear while offering no apology or acknowledgement of the zombie library service their administration has left for us”.
But Renhard is warning that some libraries could still be shut despite the promises, saying that “closures are still on the table”.
The design of Central Library echoed many features of the adjoining abbey gatehouse – photo: Martin Booth
A by no means impartial press release said: “A recruitment freeze enacted by the previous Labour administration had led to ‘stealth closures’ of Bristol’s libraries, as they were prone to sporadic closures due to staff shortages.
“Since taking office in 2024, cllr Stephen Williams has worked to relieve this issue and ensured that it is no longer a guessing game for Bristolians as to whether their library will be open or not when they turn up.
“Recognising the continued importance of Bristol’s libraries to local communities, Liberal Democrat and Green Party councillors have secured the service’s annual budget of around £5m for the 2026/27 financial year.”
Junction 3 Library is part of a mixed-use development next to the M32 – photo: Martin Booth
Neither the Greens or Lib Dems have said that libraries will close, but it has been predicted in some quarters that if the library budget is staying the same, the only way this can be achieved is by making savings elsewhere in the libraries service which will likely mean branch closures.
Renhard said: “The Greens and Lib Dems have repeatedly refused to rule out library closures and they still won’t.
“Why would they make a public statement about this whilst – yet again – refusing to rule out closures? The answer is clear: closures are still on the table.
“Their administration put forward plans to close up to 19 libraries. Fortunately, they buckled under pressure from Labour councillors and community groups, temporarily shelving those cuts.
“However, only this May, they voted against Labour’s proposal to rule out library closures as part of their ‘review’.
“Thanks to the Labour government, Bristol City Council is £27m better off this year.
“Whilst the service’s budget will apparently be protected, libraries still need protecting from the Green and Lib Dem councillors in charge of the service.
“Throughout the public meetings to discuss libraries, they have alluded to a plan to close some libraries in order to fund the extended opening hours of others; pitting neighbourhoods against each other.
“We hope they see sense and rule out closures for good, even if it means performing yet another U-turn.”
Renhard added: “Councillor Stephen Williams and his Green Party colleagues have done diddly squat to improve the libraries’ service.
“Funding for additional staff members was signed off and recruitment was underway well before he was elected.”
Redland Library on Whiteladies Road was opened in 1885 as the Redland branch of the Bristol Free Library – photo: Martin Booth
Council leader Dyer said that “we must create a library service that works for everyone”.
“This includes looking at having libraries open at the times of day most useful for their communities, what other activities could take place in the buildings and whether library outlets could be opened in other venues.”
Williams, chair of the public health & communities committee, added: “Making sure that libraries were open reliably for their advertised times was the first step, and developing a vision to get the best out of them is the next.
“The vital importance of libraries as an anchor point in diverse communities is exactly why we have protected their funding, even at a time when we are having to consider difficult savings in other areas.
“Liberal Democrats are committed to improving our libraries and making them fit for the next generation.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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