It was once the largest non-national library in Europe. The commercial outlets of Paradise Forum closed in January 2015, and the library site was fenced off except for the pedestrian route linking Chamberlain and Centenary Squares. The Library of Birmingham is a public library in Birmingham, England. Instead, a site in Centenary Square, 150m to the west of the existing building, was chosen in 2007; and subsequently the new Library of Birmingham was built and opened on 3 September 2013. Director: Barbara Sirmans. Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3HQ Tel: 0121 303 4511 Fax: 0121 233 4458 Textphone: 0121 303 4547 e-mail central.library@birmingham.gov.uk. Face coverings are required for entry. The site had been acquired from the Birmingham and Midland Institute (BMI) in 1860 after the construction of their own building in 1857 on the corner of Paradise Street and Ratcliff Place. [7] The fire caused extensive damage, with only 1,000 volumes saved from a stock of 50,000. The concrete Bull Ring shopping centre has been given a glittering and futuristic makeover. Despite the original vision not being fully implemented, the library gained architectural praise as an icon of British brutalism with its stark use of concrete, bold geometry, inverted ziggurat sculptural form and monumental scale. [7] Martin & Chamberlain's plans were approved in October 1862 for a tender price of £8,600 with E. M. Barry's classical facade retained in the design. Hide this message. As the number of books increased, the Council resolved in 1938 that a new library was an "urgent necessity", but the outbreak of World War II meant that it was not until 1960, and the development of a new Inner Ring Road through the site of the old library, that a general specification was agreed. It is connected to the former main library building, now called the Linn-Henley Research Library, by an elevated crosswalk over Richard Arrington, Jr Boulevard North. Jonathan Meades appreciated the "guts and attack" of the library, and spoke negatively of the Council's policies, stating "you don’t get a car and never get it serviced". See all tours & tickets. Preston bus station was saved from demolition and listed at Grade II in September 2013; however dialogue on the demolition of the Central Library did not progress. Get the full experience and book a tour. The Central Library is part of a much larger story of post-war Birmingham. The same year, on June 29th, Birmingham Central Library closed its doors and its thousands of books were relocated. The library was opened in 1974, but by 2013 it had been replaced by the new Library of Birmingham and its doors were closed forever. The Library of Birmingham is a BREEAM excellent rated building and incorporates grey water systems and ground source heat pumps. [18], In 2011 the World Monuments Fund included the library on its watch list along with Preston bus station stating that the buildings were dramatically sited and uncompromising in their stark use of concrete and powerfully structural forms. It is situated on the west side of the city centre at Centenary Square, beside the Birmingham Rep (to which it connects, and with which it shares some facilities) and Baskerville House. This Victorian reading room is lined with wood from the first Birmingham Central Library. At the beginning of August 2016 the link bridge to the museum was removed and the majority of the library building was demolished. On 15 November 2015 the road tunnel beneath the library permanently closed to traffic for demolition to progress. Library of Birmingham: BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL LIBRARY - See 3,751 traveller reviews, 1,425 candid photos, and great deals for Birmingham, UK, at Tripadvisor. Quick View. During a week, you may book up to nine hours in total. English Heritage applied twice in 2002 and 2007 for the Central Library to be listed. On the second occasion, Margaret Hodge, the Minister for Culture, stated that "the building did not have sufficient historical or architectural importance to merit listing". The following links are virtual breadcrumbs marking the 9 most recent pages you have visited on birmingham.gov.uk. Safety is our top priority. Birmingham is a city that wants to be business- and pedestrian-friendly; a cultural hub rather than a car hub. The main section, containing the music library, other collections, and Birmingham Reference Library is located on several floors over Paradise Circus, with the main entrance and lending library in a wing fronting Chamberlain Square. The Paradise Circus site was sold by the Council in 1998 to Argent Group, this spelt an end to the Central Library.[17]. The previous library, designed by John Henry Chamberlain, opened in 1883 and featured a tall clerestoried reading room. Birmingham Central Library is the main public library in Birmingham, England, and the largest non-national library in Europe. The appearance of the library building was criticised, mostly on account of the staining of the cladding panels which were originally white and were never cleaned. [23], Former main public library in Birmingham, England, "Preston bus station on UK monument 'at risk' list", "Birmingham Central Library demolition set to begin in January", "The Prince of Wales on architecture: his 10 'monstrous carbuncles'", 2012 World Monuments Watch: British Brutalism, "Certificate of Immunity Summary (expiry 10 January 2016 ) (1408223)", "Birmingham Central Library to be demolished", "Calls to stop Birmingham library demolition", "Stay away from Paradise as transport chiefs warn of gridlock", "The Paradise Circus plan which retains Central Library", Time lapse video of the construction of Central Library, Video of the Library under construction 1973-74, Youtube video of demolition of Central Library in April 2016, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Birmingham_Central_Library&oldid=990835358, Demolished buildings and structures in the West Midlands (county), Buildings and structures in Birmingham, West Midlands, Public libraries in the West Midlands (county), Buildings and structures demolished in 2016, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Architect John Madin outside the Birmingham Rep (designed by Graham Winteringham) where the new Central Library may be sited, in 2007. Thomas Bray (1656-1730), the Sheldon Parish Library, deposited in 1960 containing c. 370 books. More info. [9] In July 2010, the east side of the lending library was decorated with painted birds, the work of Lucy McLauchlan. Alternatively, KLM flies from Amsterdam to Birmingham Central Library 5 times a day. [11] The collection of civic buildings were all to be connected by high level walkways and the network of galleries which bridge the roads. Upon opening on 3 September 2013, it replaced Birmingham Central Library. Director: Barbara Sirmans. BPL consists of 18 locations throughout the city of Birmingham and is also a member of the Jefferson County Library Cooperative. Books celebrating brutalism were published and television shows featuring brutalist buildings began to feature with greater regularity. See more. Website +44 121 242 4242. Website +44 121 242 4242. Its style was seen at the time as a symbol of social progressivism. Location. $10.98 per adult. Recommended. Several campaign groups were set up to save the library building from demolition. Posti da visitare Birmingham Central Library. Telephone enquiries Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm. Explore {{searchView.params.phrase}} by color family The Birmingham Central Library, completed in 1984, is the primary location for the Birmingham Public Library.It is connected to the former main library building, now called the Linn-Henley Research Library, by an elevated crosswalk over Richard Arrington, Jr Boulevard North.It occupies half of the small block between Park Place and 7th Avenue North with a fenced surface parking lot on the … The Central Library no longer has a place in Birmingham’s vision of itself. 3,750 Reviews #16 of 399 things to do in Birmingham. Self-Guided & Virtual Tour of Birmingham: Central Squares. The chief librarian at the time of opening was John Davies Mullins. Although devastated during the Birmingham Blitz, the city emerged in the 1950s as the UK’s most successful city outside of London. View prices, availability and restrictions for on-street and off-street options, from public car parks to private driveways - or reserve a guaranteed space in advance. [21] On 1 November 2015, Paradise Forum was closed to pedestrians and Chamberlain Square was fenced off in preparation for external demolition. Although the Library is a … $11.12 per adult. 10 reviews. "Paradise Circus; Architects: John Madin Design Group, Birmingham Metropolitan District Council: Architects Department", in: "Birmingham Central Library; Architects: John Madin Design Group", in: "Birmingham Central Libraries; Architects: John Madin Design Group", in: This page was last edited on 26 November 2020, at 19:41. 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