Library of Birmingham

The Library of Birmingham

Jake Davies

Housed in a striking, modern building, the Library of Birmingham in Birmingham is not just the largest public library in Europe, but also a center for learning, information and culture.

The next largest library in England is Manchester Central Library in Manchester.

Library of Birmingham, England, UK. — Library of Birmingham

Design

Designed by the Dutch architectural firm Mecanoo who also redesigned the adjacent Repertory Theater, the library opened in 2013 and welcomes around 10,000 visitors a day.

The 31,000 square feet of floor space is housed in a building shaped somewhat like a floating ziggurat or square wedding cake.

The exterior features gold and silver coloring that acknowledges its location in the historic Jewelry Quarter of the city.

The outside is also covered in a lattice matrix of intersecting circles inspired by Birmingham's history of decorative wrought-iron production.

This softens the simple, rectilinear forms and is somewhat reminiscent of Islamic surface design.

Interior

The interior is built around a series of central, overlapping rotunda, the largest being the Book Rotunda that is completely encircled by curved bookshelves.

The interior spaces manage to be both light and spacious and on some floors the exterior matrix of circles creates dynamic shadows.

If it wasn't for general hush and the lack of muzak you might imagine yourself in a modern, up-market shopping mall. The library is worth a visit just to experience the architecture, both interior and exterior.

There is of course a massive lending library for books to be taken out, but also has large areas with tables, desks, and comfortable chairs to sit and study.

They have a large Children's Library as well as a well-stocked Music Library. Researchers visit the various archives and the many collections of books that have been donated to the library that include numerous rare and ancient books.

The Book Rotunda. — The Book Rotunda in the Library of Birmingham

Shakespeare Memorial Room

In the golden cylinder that tops of the building is the Shakespeare Memorial Room that houses works related to the renowned playwright. Built originally in 1882 this is the third time that it has been dismantled and relocated.

In front of the building is a sunken performance space, accessible from the lowest level of the interior, where concerts and other events take place.

There are two delightful roof gardens offering space to read and study surrounded by greenery and flowers, and also offering views across the city. The library also has exhibition spaces, a cafe and free Wifi throughout.

Adjacent to the library is Baskerville House an Art Deco style office building built in 1938.

Information & Hours

Centenary Square, Broad St
Birmingham, B1 2ND
Tel: +44 121 242 4242

Monday - Tuesday: 11 am to 7 pm; Wednesday to Saturday: 11 am to 5 pm; closed Sunday.

The library is 10 to 15 minutes on foot from New Street Station or 15 to 20 minutes from Snow Hill Station.

There is bicycle parking at the library.

Other standout buildings in Birmingham include the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Selfridges Birmingham, the city's most iconic piece of modern architecture.

Accommodation

There are places to stay to suit all budgets in Birmingham.

At the top end try the Clayton Hotel Birmingham or the Jurys Inn on Broad Street.

See a list of hotels in Birmingham.

Access - Getting to Birmingham

Birmingham New Street Station, right in the city centre, is Birmingham's main station with trains to Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool Lime Street and London Euston.

There are local train services from Snow Hill and Moor Street stations to Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Worcester and Malvern.

Long distance National Express buses run nationwide from the bus station in Digbeth.

City transport in Birmingham is good and getting better with the Midland Metro a light rail system connecting Birmingham and Wolverhampton via West Bromwich, Bilston and Wednesbury.

Centro organizes and co-ordinates the transport network in the West Midlands which includes the Midland Metro, buses and trains. Eventually the SWIFT smart card will be valid over the whole network.

Birmingham Airport, formerly Birmingham International Airport, is just over 5 miles south east of the city centre and offers both domestic and international flights. Birmingham International Station serves the airport and is just 10-15 minutes from New Street. There are buses to the airport from Birmingham city centre, Coventry, Erdington and Solihull.

Compare prices and rent a car in Birmingham