The Library of Birmingham

It is unusual to have places you can be proud of to take friends and family to in Brum. Fantastic building inside & out! Well worth looking at when you visit Birmingham. Right in the middle of the city so perfect if you only have a few minutes spare to walk past or have a couple of hours to explore inside.
Inside the escalator is lit by a bright blue light which looks fantastic as you ascend through the circular hole past the books. Make sure you spend time walking around the open area rooftop garden, its beautiful outside view especially in the summer!

I would love to be able to give the Library of Birmingham more stars as I adore the architecture, there is a vast trove of information inside and you could get lost in the books for hours on end and the roof top provides a fantastic view over our good city. There is also plenty of space for you to work and it is also full of people utilising the facilities which is brilliant.
However, the opening times are abysmal! 11am — 7pm Monday and Tuesday and 11am — 5pm Wednesday to Saturday is just not good enough. It is such a shame as it has so much promise but the cuts made by the council have really affected it. It could be used so much more than it is but time will tell if this will ever happen. The staff are always keep to help and it is always a pleasure when I visit. I just wish I could visit more often but if you work during the day, the chances are that you will scarcely be able to visit.

The Birmingham library has had a serious upgrade in the last few years. It went from being a dark, concrete building from the 70’s to an ultra modern landmark that people actually want to use.
The building is now a huge and impressive addition to the Centenary Square area with a distinctive patterned exterior. The inside is equally impressive, metal, glass and shined surfaces give a modern feel while the many floors of books and workspaces remind you what this place is actually here for. It was great to see so many people using the space yesterday, a lot of the many computers were in use and the well lit desks and research areas were all full of people looking very involved in their books or projects.
The highlight of this building for me are the two roof gardens and balconies on the top floors. From here you get a view of the quickly changing Birmingham skyline and local areas. On a clear day you can see for miles, its the perfect place to take your lunch and chill out on a clear or warm day in the city.

How to judge the new Library? As a landmark and a piece of architecture, inside and out, it is amazing. If I was a tourist it would be amongst my top 2 – 3 places to visit, of that there’s no doubt.
As time has gone by my feelings of awesomeness towards it have changed a little tho. Scooting by on the bus the other day I looked at it and just though it looked a bit silly and out of place. So maybe I’m being less dazzled now and seeing it for what it is: an expensive ego trip by a bankrupted council that can’t afford to employ the people needed to run it, to buy books, periodicals or newspapers, to be open when people want it open, and even housing, an overpriced, lousy ‘contract’ café.
The previous council, run by the tories and liberals mortgaged the city up to its eyeballs for this confection and we’re all now paying for that. Meanwhile, the current labour administration are doing not much better, tho admittedly they were dealt a lousy hand. First by the previous administration and then by the huge and disproportionate tory cuts on Birmingham local government.
We have an icon building, the old Madin library, that is about to be bulldozed and replaced by yet more cheap office blocks and retail spaces. As every citizen knows the sensible choice would have been to refurb the old library and save us £200 million!
So I suppose you can take a few pictures of the new library as you walk by, but as an asset to the city I don’t see it that way. We all have to sit back as services reduce, shaking our heads once again at the ego and stupidity of those we elect to take care of the city and its citizens. Ultimately, we must take a large share of the blame for allowing it all!

Terrible opening hours. This new library has been a host to tourists instead of library users. It has a mean and clean corporate look that is very tacky. There is a lot of drug dealing and crime taking place here. You can’t take any books out and they have run out of money to hire employees or buy books. We had a much better library in the old building. Not a good place to study with all the noise. We didn’t need a stupid tourist destination.

What a fantastic achievement the new Birmingham Central Library is. It is an awe inspiring design which has successfully merged the old (The Rep) with the new. The outside of the building is beautiful with its outer layer of spiraling rings and gold funnel at the top. The first ‘layer’ of the building appears to be floating in mid air as there are no pillars or struts supporting the front of it.
Inside, the old has been brought together with the new. On the 9^th level they have successfully re-​installed the Shakespeare room, taken from the original Central Library opened in 1865, and in the centre of the building, have recreated a circular library in traditional style in black iron and wood, and dainty staircases resembling the old style steps that would grace libraries of old. Cutting through this is the travelator, lit by blue neon lights, that takes you to the glass tube style, ultra modern lift, that takes you to the 7^th level and the secret garden.
The garden provides wonderful views over Birmingham and beyond. There is also a garden on a lower level where you can just sit in the sunshine and enjoy the ambience and view. There is much more to the library than I have described here, so go and see for yourself. you will not be disappointed, i certainly wasn’t.
The staff are very friendly, welcoming and very happy to explain about the library or offer their assistant with anything you need. All in all an excellent facility for the people of Birmingham and beyond. This place is something that I, as a true Brummie that makes me very proud.

Love it or hate it you can’t call this building boring!
I personally love it and think it is an excellent addition to Birmingham. And that’s only the outside.
I think the library is doing an excellent job of being what a modern, central library should be in this age of kindles and the Internet! Lots of computers and work space for students/​freelancers/​self-​employed folks. I almost want to do another course just so I can spend some time studying at the library!
The interior is incredibly stylish and impressive. I love the way that you keep going up and up and being surprised by little balcony gardens or little nooks and cranies. See if you can find the display of old maps of Birmingham, they’re fascinating.
It’s worth making the trip to the top for the Shakespeare room. The view across the city is lovely, and then you make your way from blank white walls to an incredible Victorian room– it’s a surreal experience.
I love that they are holding exhibitions and talks there too. I went along to see the mini sculptures and it was a fantastic opportunity.
I hope that the library keeps doing what it’s doing.

It’s been a while since I’ve popped to the café at the Library of Birmingham and it seems that standards may have slipped a little. With the weather as cold as it is and me being slightly early for a meeting I decided to pop in and warm up. I was greeted (or rather not) by three members of staff behind the counter chatting away as I waited patiently. Having finally been noticed I took advantage of their cake deal which consists of a slice of cake and a regular drink for £4. Not too bad a deal. I opted for the carrot cake and a hot chocolate.
The cake was fine however the hot chocolate was quite watery and they even forgot my marshmallows (a true crime against humanity).
Nothing glaringly wrong with the café, it could just do with a little bit of TLC. Perhaps I came on a bad day. I’ll be back to see if it’s any different.

I was sure I’d reviewed this already! I blame the mild dementia I seemed to have had for my first few weeks in Birmingham. They were also a few weeks when I spent a lot of time here, but my memories and opinions still stand now that my mind is clear.
I love this place! The architecture is described as being a bit Marmite (love it or hate it) but it’s my Nutella. I don’t think I’ll ever lose my appetite for it or get tired of it. It’s a really stunning building that is a world class level structure. It showcases Birmingham as someone modern and creative, not post-​industrial and cloaked in concrete.
Facilities inside are just amazing. Books, self checkouts, a music library, tons of computers with scanning and printing facilities (easily bookable from elsewhere/​downstairs/​at the desk), study pods, meeting rooms, gardens with panoramic views of the city… There’s very little that I could improve about it. Like all libraries, it can be a bit of a hangout for those who have nowhere else to go but that can’t really be fixed. I still love walking in there and gliding upstairs to do some work or have a browse.
Complain all you want. I’m a fan!

Felt like ages waiting for Library of Birmingham but worth the wait. Such a massive improvement from the previous city centre Library. The architecture of the building deserves its own Unilocal page, the building is very impressive and ambitious. Not only does it perfectly house the library but celebrates Birmingham allowing the general public the best views of the city.
Apart from the big new building what I really noticed when looking around the library is that the collection of the books doesn’t feel condensed. I was expecting vast vast amounts of book to fill all this new space but every space has an exact place and purpose. The non fiction section isn’t too big and is easy to navigate around. A big plus to the new library is the comfortable reading and study areas provided on every floor that the previous library lacked.

Wow just wow! I could leave the review with just that and it would be enough to sum up this beauty new building, they have def done the city proud with this project.
The didn’t visit the old library that much but the very few times I went there as a child I always remember it being so old and dated with slot of dead ends.
But as soon as you approach this library you know it’s totally different, as soon as you walk in it don’t just feel like a library it feels like part of the city a place to hang out a beautiful public area, the outside is based on the fact Birmingham is still the largest jewellery maker around :)
All areas of the library is clearly sign posted and there’s plenty of staff dotted about to lend a handing hand with anything.
Then the main selling point of the building has to be the balcony I think everyone that has visited the library has at least one picture of the views the balcony offers (except my mom she is scared of heights bless her)
The Shakespeare room on the 9^th floor is just breathe taking! You really need to go up there to appreciate it.
All in all a outstanding public space and a must stop off point for anything looking around Birmingham

Oh yes, It’s much more than a library!
I had the honour of check the place way before it open to the public in a tour visit last year with the architecture responsible for this amazing project, Francine Houben, and I had a blast.
It was just incredible to understand step by step about what would become the biggest lending library in Europe. Now, it’s time to review properly how this giant works
I have been to the library a couple of times to borrow book or drinking a coffee and I can tell it’s much more than a place to sit down and study. The facilities work perfectly for students, families and visitors. there is always an information centre available in all floors and you can fell a bit lost in the beginning but it’s part of the adventure of exploring the place itself.
Some good reasons to not missing it:
1– I really like the Library Café. It’s a great way of starting or finishing your visit to the library. The service is usually quick. I should highlight «usually» because this is a pretty busy part of the library and fair enough that the staff putting on with all people that visit the place daily. It’s a lot of latte and sandwiches to serve if you think about it.
2-​Wherever you go, there is a seat to chill, eat, study or have a chat with a friend. The red ones are really comfy ones and I am wondering where can I have one to myself lol
3– Free and very fast wi-​fi to everyone! \o/​
4– I just used the online catalogue for the first time this week and my two reserved books are already available.
5-​Children area is massive and very inviting. It‘s a good way of making the little ones get into literature. As it is placed in the lower ground, where ramps are available, pushing chairs and every children‘s stuff can be taken there easily.
6-It‘s a library with TWO green urban gardens. Enough said!
7-​A room dedicated to Shakespeare on the 9^th floor. Again, nailed it!
8– Wherever you go, there is a beautiful visit of Birmingham to be spotted. I do recommend to check it during the night as well. Just beautiful!
9– Well, books. As you can imagine, there are plenty waiting for you there.
10– It’s a Brummie landmark. It has to be in your list of what to do when you are passing by, bab!
**
Yes, it‘s great but I also would like to add, sometimes, the toilets available in the place are not enough for the quantity of people visiting the local. The REP can save you in this case. Their facilities are amazing and it‘s just next door. Another beautiful place to visit in town, by the way.

While the outside of the library looks like three shoeboxes with rings hanging outside, the inside is a vast space with multiple levels to explore, screens to touch, stairs to climb and a gladiators style travelators.
It has a great glass lift, two roof gardens and a beautiful Shakespeare room on the 9^th floor.
I spend a lot of time there using the family research zone on the 4^th floor but my favourite spot is the map room with endless drawers of old region maps.
oh it also contains books. I’m sure!
If you’ve been. Take someone who hasn’t each time you go back.

Amazing!
Went to have a look like a tourist in my own city and I remain suitably impressed by this new addition to Birmingham’s history and skyline.
This building is beautiful inside and out, its unique and like an Alladins Cave on each floor as you explore every nuck and cranny.
I plan to get back to studying in Brum now we have a city centre library open again.
I didnt get to see the jewel in the crown on the day of my visit but hope to on a future visit, from the photographs I have seen this room is a gem.
As you walk into the building it is light, airy and welcoming with staff on hand to direct you to where you need to be.
I love the childrens floor, plenty there to keep the kids entertained — schools have a wonderful sections to encorporate ‘story time’ into their visit.
Coffee shops, glass elevators, slanted escalaters, round room, shops, 9 floors, 2 open terraces, balcony views, secret garden and lots and lots and lots and lots of books!
So. we have the biggest library in europe in our city — so if you havent been, what are you waiting for Birmingham :-)

Well… what a breath of fresh air the new library is. It’s the second day of opening today and was packed to the rafters — but it’s easy to see why. There are 9 floors to explore, ranging from music and media right up to the Shakespeare floor (apparently built to look like his cottage in Stratford — but you need to book a tour and it was dead busy!).
It is a visual treat! There are lots of art pieces to find hidden amongst the different floors and sections as well as two outdoor garden spaces. There are two coffee shops/​resturants (one as you come in and one on the 3^rd (overlooking the tremendous views).
There is LOADS (and I mean loads) of free computers to use, which are completely free for library members. There are also work rooms, meeting rooms (to hire) and contemplation spaces. If you want to just sit down and have a read, there are different seating areas (ranging from «egg chairs» to normal sofa seats), but the best areas to sit on a nice day will be on the balcony areas.
The Library has two urban gardens (lovingly tended to by locals who are being trained to look after the rugged plants and wildflowers). The one on the 3^rd floor is impressive, but if you can drag yourself up to the 7^th — that’s really something to behold.
There are a wide range of activities going on in the library (from theatre to comedy) between now and Christmas, so have a look on their website or pop in and collect some literature if you are out and about.
I am literally blown away by the wonderfulness of our new library!