Alan, as Ellbrown correctly states, the very first library was burnt down in 1879 and replaced with the one you recall with its ladders etc etc. I only went into it the once but still remember it well.
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?
The Birmingham and Midland Institute is now on Margaret Street, in Birmingham City Centre. It was a pioneer of adult scientific and technical institution (General Industrial, Commercial and Music) and it today offers Arts and Sciences lectures.
When the old mid 19th century building was demolished in 1965 as part of the redevelopment of Birmingham City Centre, the BMI moved to Margaret Street, the home of the private Birmingham Library, which is a Grade II* listed building, designed in 1889 by architects Jethro Cossins, F. B. Peacock, and Ernest Bewly.
Just made the video pubic, still not showing. Any ideas ellbrown?