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Attempts to rescue the Library from demolition are still going on .... Viv.
https://www.birminghampost.co.uk/bu...ary-demolition-10509026#ICID=sharebar_twitter
https://www.birminghampost.co.uk/bu...ary-demolition-10509026#ICID=sharebar_twitter
By interesting coincidence the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) website has recently been adding to its side-by-side photo archive of the Madin library with its Victorian predecessor and other historic buildings. To help readers onto the website here is a SYMBOLIC
example of the collection with the old and new in the exact phase of the handover, although the 'old' building in the picture below will of course be the Midland Institute?
https://www.architecture.com/image-...ain-square-birmingham/posterid/RIBA51396.html
As one can see, the website name is now in the name of its new intellectual metamorphosis, but to avoid millions of other websites containing the name 'architecture' one can still get on via
www.ribapix.com
and type in 'Birmingham Library' in the Home Page search box. ( A few strange inclusions in that selection, just because they were in Birmingham maybe, but there are three pages if members can spot the page turn feature somewhere in a corner there)
example of the collection with the old and new in the exact phase of the handover, although the 'old' building in the picture below will of course be the Midland Institute?
https://www.architecture.com/image-...ain-square-birmingham/posterid/RIBA51396.html
As one can see, the website name is now in the name of its new intellectual metamorphosis, but to avoid millions of other websites containing the name 'architecture' one can still get on via
www.ribapix.com
and type in 'Birmingham Library' in the Home Page search box. ( A few strange inclusions in that selection, just because they were in Birmingham maybe, but there are three pages if members can spot the page turn feature somewhere in a corner there)
What a slow process. But suppose demolishing and shifting that volume of concrete will take quite a while. Viv.
There's a thought, how many vaguely "central" libraries has Birmingham had? Apart from the ones mentioned so far.The Birmingham Library on Union Street that seems to have been a subscription/membership one dating from the back end of the 18th Century and still around in the 1840s. Another one from 1866 lasts with a break after a fire - presumably until the 1890s. Then there's the 1898 library which lasts until (?). I seem to remember there's another on Broad Street after that. Then we have the 60s version now being demolished and the new one. Have I missed any or got one wrong?
horsencart
master brummie
The glass has now gorn https://www.flickr.com/photos/dofartshavelumps/24941276739/in/dateposted/
and
I do not normally buy this sort of thing but I have ordered my today https://ichoosebirmingham.com/posts/central-library-pin-badge
and
I do not normally buy this sort of thing but I have ordered my today https://ichoosebirmingham.com/posts/central-library-pin-badge
Frothblower
Lubrication In Moderation
The library on Monday
https://www.flickr.com/photos/buddamanuk/25354265016/in/album-72157661305522059/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/buddamanuk/25354265016/in/album-72157661305522059/
Frothblower
Lubrication In Moderation
Just made the video pubic, still not showing. Any ideas ellbrown?
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ellbrown
ell brown on Flickr
I see you made it public. If it's set to Private, Friends Only etc, it can't be seen publicly, or be shared.
You can also change privacy settings in organiser. Or on the main photo / video page under "Additional Info".
Warren
They were using the same machine in Reading to demolish the Metal Box building, and someone posted a film of it working on U-tube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE5lgc10lP0) . It really looks like a dinosaur feeding Pity there isn't the same on it working on the library
They were using the same machine in Reading to demolish the Metal Box building, and someone posted a film of it working on U-tube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE5lgc10lP0) . It really looks like a dinosaur feeding Pity there isn't the same on it working on the library
There's something very therapeutic about Frothblower's clip. Like Warren, I too would love a go with those big pincers? Viv.
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cookie273uk
master brummie
IN the early 80's they held an 'open' art exhibition in this Library and they accepted 4 of my entries (one oil 3 watercolours.) two were sold, nobody more surprised than me ! as I was competing with professional artists. Must admit did not like the Library. Eric
Some screenshots from the BBC programme The Game, shown last year. B'ham Central Library was chosen as the setting for MI5 HQ in the programme. Pretty convincing too Some interior shots.. Viv.
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And a couple of exterior shots
And alongside its neighbour, St. Paul's Cathdral!!
And alongside its neighbour, St. Paul's Cathdral!!
A model of the library but it looks like this plan wasn't built - well at least not in full. Viv.
That's a pity Ell. I thought it was a great series. Good drama. Viv.
That's true Ell.
Here's an interior photo from its heyday. I have vivid memories of rough concrete and harsh fluorescent lighting. Viv.
Here's an interior photo from its heyday. I have vivid memories of rough concrete and harsh fluorescent lighting. Viv.
the memories i take away from the old library are those of constant out of order lifts and excalators...cold damp smelly building with buckets dotted around to catch the leaks but above all a well run library with plenty of staff on hand to go and retrieve archive material while you wait and lots of records available for the public to look at which we do not have out on display now...it was a library fit for purpose then despite its structural and electrical faults...was that really only 3 years ago?? now we have to wait 4 weeks plus just for them to email back a reply regarding an archive look up then most likely another 2 weeks wait for an appointment to go and view the said material...and we were promised that when the new library was built the archives section would not suffer..lord knows how many times i moaned about the design of it and its imperfections but i would willingly ignore all that now so long as the folk of birmingham had a library that worked for us....the old saying " be careful what you wish for " springs to mind now...
lyn
lyn
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