please empty your brain below
The outside of that building looks like it could become a pigeon roost.

John | 28.10.13 - 6:49 a.m. | #

It's amazing how they have managed to move the Shakespeare Memorial Room up to the 9th floor of this building and still keep it looking and feeling 'original'. Particularly, the fine decorated ceiling.

Well done, Birmingham City Council, in this era of austerity, when other local authorities around the country can only talk of 'Cuts to services'.

I also noticed some more dg trademark staircase photgraphs, but you will be hard pressed to beat your excellent 'Gas holder staircase shot' !

Petras409 | 28.10.13 - 10:04 a.m. | #

not sure about Shakespeare being a 'son of the West Midlands'....!

Paul | 28.10.13 - 11:36 a.m. | #

How wonderful - and refreshing - to see a city that puts knowledge for all the people over greed for the few at the top of its agenda

Peter | 28.10.13 - 11:43 a.m. | #

Since the transformation of the Bull Ring in 2003, Birmingham has felt like a city on the up. Brindleyplace (the canalside development) has matured, along with The Mailbox and The Cube; just recently the new library has opened, and soon the redevelopment of New Street station (with trains to London Euston currently every 20 minutes) will be complete.

Many people who are critical of the city haven't actually been there since the 90s: it's time for them to take a second look.

James Armitage | Homepage | 28.10.13 - 2:46 p.m. | #

I understand the 1970s library is to be demolished before EH can stop them. The counter-revolution is in full swing everywhere but too late for Centre Point or Plymouth Council offices.

HowardGWR | 28.10.13 - 4:31 p.m. | #

I agree with James - Birmingham city centre has been growing on me over the last few years!

Stephen | 30.10.13 - 1:01 p.m. | #

As a teenager, it was, I now see, a privilege to have used the predecessor but one of this new building. This itself replaced the building of 1865-6 which had been destroyed by fire in 1879 and opened in 1882 (demolished 1974).
The entrance was up an imposing curved staircase which went through 180 degrees. Entering the reading room itself one found oneself in a triple height room, bookcases with galleries from floor to ceiling.
Were I to be transported back to it I could probably still find my way around.
An excellent set of photographs of the interior is at
http://www.photobydjnorton.com/Library/VictorianLibrary.html

It certainly helped give me a lifelong interest in the printed word.
Kind regards,
John

John UK | 30.10.13 - 6:15 p.m. | #











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