FOLLOWING fears much-loved Rubery Library could close the Advertiser can exclusively reveal that it will remain open.

The paper recently reported that the future of the embattled library had been thrown into doubt, despite council chiefs saying they had no intentions to close any library.

Bromsgrove councillor Peter McDonald said that he was told it was still under threat of closure.

The news only came to light after cllr McDonald tried to get a scent garden built outside the library.

At the time he said: “I have been trying for a number of years to have a Scent Garden created on the green that fronts the library in New road, Rubery.

"Believing the library was no longer under threat of closure there would be no objection to the proposal: as the green is in an ideal location and would become a prominent feature in Rubery’s high street.

"Funding for the project having been secured, I was shocked to now be told the library is still under threat of closure."

A spokesman from Worcestershire County Council said there were no intentions to close Rubery Library or any of our other libraries.

Following the concerns Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid held talks with leader of the council Simon Geraghty and the cabinet member with responsibility for libraries Lucy Hodgson.

Mr Javid, re-elected as Bromsgrove MP last week, sought an assurance that the community in Rubery would continue to have a library of their own, and that the county council would consider how it could make further improvements.

He said: “I was deeply concerned by reports in the Advertiser that Rubery Library was at risk of closure.

“I immediately got in touch with the leader of Worcestershire County Council to reiterate my unwavering commitment to Rubery’s Library, and seek assurances that under the council’s new libraries strategy Rubery Library would not be closed.

“I want to ensure that the range of public services enjoyed by the community in Rubery moves forwards, not backwards. To that end, we talked about how the library could be upgraded by enhancing both the existing service as well as the digital services that residents will increasingly come to expect from a 21st century, community-focussed library.

“I’m delighted that the leader of the council made an absolute commitment to protecting the public library in Rubery, and that going forward the council will both be seeking to invest in new technology and exploring opportunities for service growth.”