| AdminHistory | In May 1968 it was decided to merge the Public Libraries Committee (see BCC/1/AT) and the Museum and Art Gallery Committee (see BCC/1/BQ). The new Libraries and Museums Committee consisted of twelve members of the City Council, along with the chairmen of any sub-committee appointed to select books for the Reference Library and the Lord Mayor.
The functions of the new committee were exactly as those of the old committees. It was to control the libraries and museums of the Corporation, and also Aston Hall, Weoley Castle and Blakesley Hall, and also control the finances and purchase of items for the said libraries and museums, provide further entertainments and events, for example public lectures, as well as appoint members of staff and look after their welfare. The various departments were not merged as such, reporting separately to the main committee.
In July 1969, the committee took over responsibility for Sarehole Mill, when it was opened to the public following an extensive restoration project, and in November 1971, the erection of a branch library at Quinton was given to go ahead by the committee. The committee also oversaw the continuing redevelopment of the Science Museum in Newhall Street and that of the Cannon Hill Museum and the Birmingham Zoo (to become the Birmingham Nature Centre in 1975), as well as the initial phases of the building of the new Central Library.
In 1972, the functions of the Libraries and Museum Committee, along with those of the Baths and Parks Committees were subsumed into the newly formed Leisure Services committee (BCC/1/DM). Therefore, for minutes of the Library and Museum Committee post May 1972, please see BCC/1/DM. |