The Library of Birmingham, UK - A City Gem!

The Library of Birmingham, which opened in September 2013, is one of the most photographed of modern builds in the City. With so much to experience, a visit to the Library is a must!


The Library of Birmingham 

Centenary Square

Birmingham

B1 2EA

View site map HERE.

Photography by Daniel Sturley.

 

Architect: Mecanoo (Netherlands based practice)

Construction: Led by Carillon

 

The building in brief

The building has been recognised for both its innovative design and for its positive social impact and has won numerous awards.

It is estimated to have cost £188.8 million to build. 

Pre-construction

Photography by Elliott Brown

During construction

Photography by Elliott Brown.

Construction completed (2013)

Photography by Elliott Brown.

 

Inside the Library of Birmingham

There is several basement levels (children's library), plus you can get the escalators up towards Level 3, and Travelator up to Level 4. Lifts or stairs takes you up to Level 7, and Level 9. Level's 5, 6 and 8 are staff only. The glass lift broke down after a year and has not been repaired.

 

Level 0

Library of Birmingham Escalators from Level 0 to Level 1 at the Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Level 2

Library of Birmingham Level 2 the Knowledge Floor at the Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Level 2 (what was formerly called the Knowledge Floor) as it is was in August 2021.

Library of BirminghamLevel 2 the Knowledge Floor at the Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Gallery (Level 3)

Regularly changing exhibitions in The Gallery on the third floor, that are usually on for several months.

The GalleryThe Gallery at the Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Travelator (level 3 to 4)

Library of Birmingham Travelator from Level 3 to Level 4 at the Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Travelator from level 3 to 4 as it is now as of mid August 2021.

TravelatorTravelator from Level 3 to Level 4 at the Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Level 7

Library of Birmingham Level 7 view down to Level 4 near the Glass Lift at the Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

History of the Library

Prior to the new build, the Birmingham's Library called Central Library was situated in Chamberlain Square.  

This site is now occupied by One Chamberlain Square, one of the modern flagship builds of the Paradise scheme.

The Central Library just before the start demolition in 2016 - Photography by Daniel Sturley.

 

Baskerville Basin (site of The Library of Birmingham)

Prior to work commencing on the library in 2010, archaelogists were on site revealing the history of Baskerville Basin.

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Photography by Elliott Brown.

Part of the canal network used to stretch into what is now Centenary Square but this was filled in during the 1930s to make way for a proposed Civic Centre. The excavation revealed intact brick walls of Baskerville Basin and a private canal built circa 1810 called Gibson's Arm. 

The map below printed in 1880 shows Baskerville Wharf between Cambridge Street and Broad Street. 

1880 map

 

The Secret Garden and Discovery Terrace at The Library of Birmingham 

Two roof top garden areas. Head up the escalators to level 3 for the Discovery Terrace. Or continue up the travelator to level 4, then walk around and catch the lift up to level 7 (or walk up the stairs) to get to the Secret Garden. Note that the glass lift broke down after a year of operation and has never been fixed, but there is about 3 lifts around the corner.

 

The Discovery Terrace

The Discovery Terrace is on Level 3 of the Library of Birmingham. There used to be revolving doors to get out here, but is now automatic doors. There is also a disabled button you can press to open the door.

Discovery Terrace Discovery Terrace at the Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Discovery Terrace as it is now during mid August 2021.

Discovery TerraceDiscovery Terrace at the Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Secret Garden

Go to level 7, via the lifts or stairs, to get to the Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham. Press the disabled button to open the door. For some amazing views, of the ever changing skyline.

Secret Garden Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Secret Garden as it is now as of mid August 2021.

Secret GardenSecret Garden at the Library of Birmingham. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Shakespeare Memorial Room at The Library of Birmingham 

At the top of the Library inside the Golden Cylinder is the Shakespeare Memorial Room. The original room was designed by John Henry Chamberlain in 1882 and it was founded by George Dawson and friends who believed that Birmingham should be home to the world's greatest collection of books by Shakespeare. As of September 2021, it is still closed to the public, as is access to Level 9.

Library of Birmingham

Photography by Elliott Brown.

Shakspeare Memorial Room

Photography by Elliott Brown

Don't miss our great associated feature of the amazing views that can be seen from the 3rd floor terrace (the Discovery Terrace), the 'Secret Garden (on the 7th floor) and the enclosed 'Skyview' room on the 9th floor with the Skakespeare Memorial Room (Skyline Viewpoint):

Views From The Library of Birmingham

Contact

Library of Birmingham

Library of Birmingham on Twitter

Library of Birmingham on Facebook

Library of Birmingham on Instagram

Project dates

08 Mar 2018 - On-going

Passions

Photography, Education, Modern Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com

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Art; Culture & creativity
20 Sep 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Ten years of free exhibitions in The Gallery at the Library of Birmingham

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The Gallery is on Level 3 (the third floor) of the Library of Birmingham. There has been several exhibitions in this space between 2013 and 2023. From the Reference Works exhibition in September 2013 to The Birmingham Allotment Project in September 2023. Plus a couple related to Shakespeare and Watt in between.

Related

Ten years of free exhibitions in The Gallery at the Library of Birmingham





The Gallery is on Level 3 (the third floor) of the Library of Birmingham. There has been several exhibitions in this space between 2013 and 2023. From the Reference Works exhibition in September 2013 to The Birmingham Allotment Project in September 2023. Plus a couple related to Shakespeare and Watt in between.


2013: Reference Works

3rd September to 29th December 2013.

The very first exhibition in The Gallery at the Library of Birmingham, from September 2013 was Reference Works. Birmingham Central Library in 2010 commissioned four photographers - Michael Collins, Brian Griffin, Andrew Lacon and Stuart Whipps to make individual creative responses to the emergence of the Library of Birmingham. The four artists also mentored students and graduates from Birmingham City University. There was also an exhibition outside of the Library of Birmingham at the time in Centenary Square, with historic images of the old Central libraries from the 1882 to 2013.

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2014: Voices of War

29th September to 31st December 2014

Voices of War: Birmingham People 1914-19 transports us back to Birmingham during the First World War and tells the stories of local people.

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2015: Mat Collishaw - In Camera

18th September 2015 to 10th January 2016.

The room was dark with this art installation by Mat Collishaw. In Camera means Camera Obscura (Latin for dark chamber). It features a series of 12 crime scene negatives made for the Birmingham City Police Force during the 1930s and 1940s. Collishaw discovered the uncatalogued images. Using flashing bulbs.

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2016: Our Shakespeare

22nd April to  3rd September 2016.

It commemorated the 400th anniversary of the death of the bard William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616). Also relating to the Shakespeare Memorial Room and George Dawson.

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2017: Pavel Brázda is Here! 

1st June to 1st July 2017.

Didn't go to this one, just saw the signs from outside of the library at the time.

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2017: Connecting Stories

Around October 2017 there was an Indian tricycle (Rickshaw) in front of The Gallery. Behind was an exhibition at the time called Connecting Stories (didn't go into that one).

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2018: Wholesale Memory

29th January to 7th April 2018.

Friction Arts presents the Wholesale Memory Exhibition. The Smithfield Wholesale Markets have been on their present site for 900 years but they moved later in 2018 to Witton to make way for the Smithfield redevelopment.

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2018: The Empire Windrush Generation Exhibition

24th May to 30th June 2018.

Celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Empire Windrush ship with Black Britions who emigrated to the UK from the Caribbean, in 1948.

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2019: Watt in the World

12th July to 2nd November 2019.

Commemorated the bicentenary of the death of James Watt (1736 - 1819). As well as his life and legacy.

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2022: Everything to Everybody

22nd July to 5th November 2022.

Was part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival. Was about creating the Shakespeare Library.

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2023: The Birmingham Allotment Project. Wotta Lotta Culture!

Saturday 16th September to Saturday 25th November 2023.
A snapshot of Birmingham's vibrant allotment culture from the 1960s to the present day.

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Photos by Elliott Brown

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80 passion points
People & community
07 Sep 2021 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

Library of Birmingham ready for volunteers for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

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From the 6th September 2021 until December, people who applied to be volunteers at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games can show up for an interview (if they have been invited). They will go to the Library of Birmingham. The Library Cafe and half of Level 2 have been taken over. Photos taken by Elliott Brown on the 4th September 2021 before closing time.

Related

Library of Birmingham ready for volunteers for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games





From the 6th September 2021 until December, people who applied to be volunteers at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games can show up for an interview (if they have been invited). They will go to the Library of Birmingham. The Library Cafe and half of Level 2 have been taken over. Photos taken by Elliott Brown on the 4th September 2021 before closing time.


Let the Games Begin! Enter via the door at Centenary Square, to what used to be the Library Cafe at the Library of Birmingham.

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As you can see Birmingham 2022 has taken over the space of the Library Cafe.

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As well as the Mezzannine floor (which is above the Library Cafe space).

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Commonwealth Games banners have been placed inside of the Library foyer area on the ground floor.

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Head up the escalators to Level 2. Note that the you might have to walk up the escalator from Level's 1 to 2, or use the lifts.

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Be at the Heart of it. If you are applying to be a volunteer, head this way to your interview. Good luck.

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Information about the Legacy Programmes and the Queen's Baton Relay. The relay last went into Birmingham's Centenary Square during 2014 (ahead of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games).

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Meet the mascot, Perry the Bull.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

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