THE plunder of Halesowen Library has been laid bare after it emerged thousands of books were removed during the ill fated ‘modernisation’.

Dudley Council finally responded the killer question of how many books were removed from the library last year during the £48,000 reorgnisation when Social Services took over part of the Cornbow Centre facility.

In documents compiled for the Halesowen Area Committee the council revealed there were 40,750 books available to the public before in 2008/2209 and just 33,489 in 2009/10 - a massive drop of 18 per cent.

Cradley and Foxcote Councillor Tim Crumpton believes the figures confirm Dudley Council downgraded the popular library by the back door.

He said: “This just shows that the re-organisation was just a cost cutting excercise. Dudley Council have made a once wonderful library into little more than a book outlet.

“Halesowen is often said to be the jewel in the crown of Dudley borough but it appears we have just had the sceptre removed.”

Ian Newman, Dudley Council’s Halesowen area liason officer, said: “It is not possible to give a full breakdown of the types of books discarded.

“The change of stock levels has occured due to the correct application of the stock management policy.

“If customers are not able to find a book they are able to request items in stock at all libraries in the borough.”

He added: “If the book is not in stock then a recommendation can be made to staff to about stock which will then be used to inform future stock purchases.”

The re-organisation of the library became a touchstone political issue leading to angry scenes at successive Halesowen Area Committee meetings.

Library campaigner Tim Clitheroe told one meeting: “I am disgusted what has happened to Halesowen Library, it is absolutely awful, and what was a thriving community facility has been reduced to a shadow of its former self.

“Dudley Council has managed to spend £48,000 of public money on making something worse than it was in the first place. I think this case should be referred to the district auditor.”

“The reference library, which is at the core of any library, has been decimated in the changes and there are not even tables and chairs to read the town’s most important documents on.”