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West Midlands
The West Midlands region is situated in the heart of England and includes the major urban centres of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry. It has a population of 5.27 million (9% of the UK total), 11.3% of whom come from ethnic minorities. Over half the regional population lives in the large conurbations, while over 2 million reside in the region's rural counties, which cover three-quarters of the region's area.
Manufacturing remains an important element in the economy and as the centre of the country's road and rail network the region is a major exporter of goods and services, accounting for approximately 8% of the national total by value.
- There are 214 museums in the region attracting over 4 million visits a year.
- 14 local authorities run 307 static and 51 mobile libraries employing 4,000 staff and receiving 32 million visits per year. Over 50% of the region's population are library members.
- There are 24 archives in the region employing some 532 staff and attendance at archives in the West Midlands is the highest of any English region.
Public appeal to save the Hoard for the West Midlands
A host of prominent public figures are supporting the campaign, launched today by The Art Fund charity, to raise the £3.3m needed by 17 April to save the Anglo-Saxon treasure for Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery and the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent.
> Read more about Staffordshire HoardNorton Canes village now has a community hub villagers can be proud of.
The new library's services now include activities for all ages, free computer and internet access and meeting rooms available for booking.
> Read more about Norton CanesNominations now open for the Jaguar Land Rover Awards for Arts & Business 2009
The MLA Arts & Business Museums, Libraries and Archives Award will celebrate and showcase the best examples of business partnerships with a museum, library or archive in the Midlands.
> Read more about jaguar land rover awardsDesigns unveiled for new city centre library
MLA Chief Executive Roy Clare has hailed plans for a new central library in Birmingham as "a flagship among libraries serving the communities of the city"
> Read more about BirminghamConstruction work on the new Wednesfield library is underway
£2.2m library building will be funded by Wolverhampton City Council and the Big Lottery Fund.
> Read more about wednesfieldStoke's new library has been officially opened.
Stoke Local Service Centre, which includes a library, one-stop shop and training and conference facilities, has doubled visitor numbers.
> Read more about stokeIntegrated public and university library proposed
The £60m joint project between Worcestershire County Council and the University of Worcester is believed to be the first of its kind in Europe.
> Read more about worcester libraryProjects bring work of Muslim artists to audiences in the West Midlands
Exhibitions and events at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery leads to new relationships with diverse communities in the West Midlands.
> Read more about art and IslamBlack Country libraries go family-friendly
The Black Country Libraries Partnership has developed a new set of standards to ensure families receive a warm welcome and support.
> Read more about Black Country librariesLibraries 'open to all' in the community
Developing a new management process has seen Sandwell libraries engage with all of their local community, whatever their ethnic group.
> Read more about Sandwell librariesSensory Gallery brings art to blind and partially sighted people
A gallery enabling people to experience art using senses other than sight has been welcomed by blind and partially sighted people in Wolverhampton.
> Read more about Wolverhampton Art Gallery New landmark library succeeds
Residents, local organisations and businesses take an active role in the modernisation of the new Bentley library
> Read more about Walsall libraries