From its launch in late 2007, the business plan for the Library of Birmingham was based on the ability to draw in funding from sponsors and accommodate innovative businesses.

At one event, former council leader, now Lord, Mike Whitby outlined his ambition to see tech companies like Microsoft or IBM or educational institutions collaborate with the new library.

That support never arrived - either as a result of the economic slump or the failure of council leaders to sell the project.

Some say Lord Whitby failed to deliver the sponsors while others blame the Labour council leader Sir Albert Bore for not putting the library into an arm's-length trust and giving it the freedom to seek outside funding.

Along with other cost pressures, this contributed to the budget spiralling to the point where it was last year costing £22 million on loan repayments and running costs and inevitably cuts were made.

The near halving of opening hours and staff has been particularly brutal and the source of some embarrassment for the city.

But now, in securing collaboration of the Google Digital Garage last week and the Brasshouse Language Service announced today, the library will be open, a least for tourists and casual book browsers, for 12 hours a day during the week.

It's a great result for the library - getting the doors back open without increasing the burden on the taxpayer. And it is finally delivering a library in line with that original vision.