EXPENDITURE on items like new books and re-binding, which were the "lifeblood" of any library, were being kept at the same rate in previous years in order to effect as much savings as possible.

Councillor A P Wells told Redditch Urban District Councils Library Committee on Monday, when it was reported that the net amount to be provided by the rates to meet the estimated expenditure for the year 1956/57 amounted to £7,547.

This represented about £1,000 more than originally estimated for this year and £500 more than the probable actual expenditure.

Mr Wells added: "We have not increased anything we are not obliged to."

In dealing with the estimates in detail, the committee effected a saving of £223 on salaries.