Cuts place photography collection at risk

Proposed cuts to the new Library of Birmingham’s (LoB) Photography Collections, made in a consultation that closed yesterday, have provoked a backlash from more than 100 historians, scholars and photographers. If council cost-saving measures are adopted, more than half of the 188 staff at the new library will lose their jobs, including all those working with the Photography Collections, and opening hours will be almost halved.

The LoB’s photography holdings are officially designated “of national and international importance”, documenting the history of both professional and amateur photography in the UK. Signatories to a letter to The Times point out that in recent decades the Photography Collection has attracted over £1m in external sponsorship and the collection has formed the basis of outreach projects with culturally diverse communities, attracting audiences to Birmingham and widening access, especially through an outdoor gallery that is accessible to all. The letter says: “Whatever the outcome of the city’s funding cuts consultation, the fait accompli abandonment of the Photography Collection is wholly unwarranted and will have a disproportionate impact on the region, the UK and internationally. If Birmingham City Council feels unable to properly fund its internationally important photography collections then government via DCMS needs to step in.”

The Council is considering an approach to the British Library in a bid to make Birmingham one of its regional centres. But Councillor Penny Holbrook made clear that discussions were at an “early stage”. She continued: “…we have to be clear that if this plan ultimately proves to be unworkable, we will have to continue with the proposed cuts to ensure our budget balances and that essential services such as children’s safeguarding are given the funding they need.”