I spent a lot of time in the old central library Jenny, a magnificent place. Utilisation of space was not the best but I suppose it was a Victorian structure. Right along side of the Town Hall was it not. I seem to remember a lot of marble and pillars and very fine woods. Everything was built to last. I wonder what happened to all of the material. A 'central' library needs a bit of style and substance to it. Hopefully they were able to use some of the dismantled fixtures in the new one.
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Birmingham Library 1865
- Thread starter Rupert
- Start date
jennyann
Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
You are correct Rupert, the Central Library was a magnificent building full of exotic woods and wrought iron fittings from the period it was built in. I remember the library ladders you could climb up to obtain books. To me
when I was in my early teens and at school in Brum I really didn't appreciate the place but the visits I made must have left an impression on me because I can still see the place in my " mind's eye" so to speak and when I worked in Queen's College Chambers later on I would go over there
to while away some luch hours on rainy days.
The value of such items as exotic woods and ironwork may not have been
appreciated as much when the Library was demolished. However, there may have been private and public auctions held for some of the fittings that were removed. I would like to know about that as well.
when I was in my early teens and at school in Brum I really didn't appreciate the place but the visits I made must have left an impression on me because I can still see the place in my " mind's eye" so to speak and when I worked in Queen's College Chambers later on I would go over there
to while away some luch hours on rainy days.
The value of such items as exotic woods and ironwork may not have been
appreciated as much when the Library was demolished. However, there may have been private and public auctions held for some of the fittings that were removed. I would like to know about that as well.
Yes, it all comes back. It was mainly the engineering room downstairs that I used but occasionally I would use the other section and go in through the gate. I seem to remember a circular format up there and forms that had to be filled in. The engineering room downstairs was self serve I think. It had a long central table with a continuous bookshelf around and the ladders that you remember. On fixed rails as I recall that you rolled along to the section of your interest. There were balconies above also with the rolling laders. I think the table would have taken an elephants weight, easily. There were occasionally older folk who had gone in there and taken a book out and fallen asleep but no one bothered. Yes, this rates with Frantic's leather railway carriage strap with holes in. I can sense the flavour of the old books.
jennyann
Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
Just a quick story about the Reference section of the library and yes, Rupert your description reiterates what I can see in my memory. Going there was like a Jules Verne moment if you know what I mean. I remember seeing people sleeping over a book in there too. A lot different to most libraries of the day.
I belonged to a Youth Club in Erdington and one of the supervisors had been in the Air Force and told us several stories about ghosts supposedly that haunted lonely air stations in England and also murder stories similarly connected.
He seemed to like a bit of the gruesome. He told us that if we wanted to see a book on Forensic Science to help us understand some of the stories he regaled us with that we could have a look at one in the Reference Library in Brum. He even gave us the numeral details for the book.
We turned up and filled in the card. The librarian checked the catalogue box
after which she proceeded to give us a funny look but told us where to look for the book. I would have been 14 or l5 at the time.
We found the book and opened the pages which were mostly in colour
and found they contained some very graphic pictures of murder victims
who had died in various horrifying ways. It was an awful book and we were so shocked we practically ran out of the Library. I will never know why that chap wanted us to see it. He left the district very soon afterwards. We never told our parents about this mind you.
I belonged to a Youth Club in Erdington and one of the supervisors had been in the Air Force and told us several stories about ghosts supposedly that haunted lonely air stations in England and also murder stories similarly connected.
He seemed to like a bit of the gruesome. He told us that if we wanted to see a book on Forensic Science to help us understand some of the stories he regaled us with that we could have a look at one in the Reference Library in Brum. He even gave us the numeral details for the book.
We turned up and filled in the card. The librarian checked the catalogue box
after which she proceeded to give us a funny look but told us where to look for the book. I would have been 14 or l5 at the time.
We found the book and opened the pages which were mostly in colour
and found they contained some very graphic pictures of murder victims
who had died in various horrifying ways. It was an awful book and we were so shocked we practically ran out of the Library. I will never know why that chap wanted us to see it. He left the district very soon afterwards. We never told our parents about this mind you.
The other item about the Central Library and the fittings. In later life I was a lorry driver myself and at this particular time I was working for a removal company and one job I did was from a warehouse in West Bromwich which consisted of moving tons and tons of cast iron fittings to a farm in I think Belbroughton,I can't remember exactly where. The chap who we did the work for told us it was all the balustrading from the library.It took us about two weeks to do the job,no equipment,all done by hand.Very hard job.
Regards,Bob Shale.
Regards,Bob Shale.
sylviasayers
master brummie
In last Saturdays Birmingham Mail, 14th April, in the nostalgia section is a 4/5 page spread of the old Central Library. It was truly a wonderful building, but I can't recall going there.
W
Wendy
Guest
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Phil
Gone, but not forgotten.
The First Birmingham Municipal library was built on land purchased by the Council from The Birmingham Midland Institute. Who were already building their institute which was to include a public library it was decided that they would enjoin to build the one public library. The BMI had engaged E.M.Barry to design the library but the Council said that he was too expensive so William Martin was chosen to design all but the frontage. (photo1)
The library opened in 1865, but in 1879 whilst building an extension to the library a fire broke destroying the library and 50,000 reference books. The library was rebuilt by Martin & Chamberlain and reopened in 1882. The inside was fitted out with all the usual Victorian elegance (photo1, 2, 3 & 4)
By the late 30’s the library had become too small to house all the books that were needed and the building of a new library was authorised but it wasn’t until the late 60’s when the building of a new inner ring road forced the closure and demolition of this Victorian Gem.(photo5)
Phil
The library opened in 1865, but in 1879 whilst building an extension to the library a fire broke destroying the library and 50,000 reference books. The library was rebuilt by Martin & Chamberlain and reopened in 1882. The inside was fitted out with all the usual Victorian elegance (photo1, 2, 3 & 4)
By the late 30’s the library had become too small to house all the books that were needed and the building of a new library was authorised but it wasn’t until the late 60’s when the building of a new inner ring road forced the closure and demolition of this Victorian Gem.(photo5)
Phil
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sylviasayers
master brummie
It has always been a regret of mine that I never went inside the old library, and I can only vaguely recall the building itself.
Two wonderful photos Phil. Seems to me that first image might have had a little influence on the design for the top upper level design of the new (C21st) library. Or maybe that's wishful thinking. Viv
Thanks Phil for re-posting the photos, especially so as the buildings have disappeared. Viv.
sistersue61
master brummie
Phil, they look great, thanks for reposting them. I can remember going to the library a couple of times with my great-uncle, who loved reading - he usedto take me frequently to the Swan.
Sue
Sue
great to see your pics back on this thread phil..here are a couple more...its always been sore point with me that this wounderful building was cast aside and was deemed surplus to requirements by the powers that be...especially when you look at the building that took its place..
Wow, I can smell those books! (post 13). Do any libraries still have card index systems? Can't remember anywhere I last saw any of those cabinets. Viv.
The early 60s picture post #14 shows a bit of grime on the building but post #2 ...maybe 1900 or so shows how nicely it would have cleaned up. The inside was substantial and un-repeatable today. Perhaps the town hall has a better aspect from that side now. It needed a bit of space. All it needed was a clean. Maybe they could have sold the whole thing to the US...would have looked nice alongside of London Bridge.
cookie273uk
master brummie
What absolute phillistines Birmingham Council were to destroy such a beautiful building both inside and out, they should have been prosecuted for vandilism, and look at the concrete monstrosity they replaced it with (for once I agree with Prince Charles, an inverted incinirator). I also dislike the latest version. 'they' (?) say its 'progress, I strongly disagree and say its regression. I have travelled all over Europe and they restore/preserve their old historical buildings, WHY cannot we ????. Sorry for ranting but as a painter of old buildings I despair. Eric
Some amazing photos on this link taken just as the old library was being demolished. Viv.
https://www.thebirminghampress.com/2013/02/05/deja-vu/
https://www.thebirminghampress.com/2013/02/05/deja-vu/
guilbert53
master brummie
Once the NEW Library is open there are plans to totally redevelop the area around the OLD library, and this includes knocking down Fletchers Walk (and the quicker they knock down the old library the better - it is one of the reasons why Birmimgham has the nickname "Concrete City").
Below is the web site for the new "Paradise Circus" development in that area. It does say redevelopment of the site may start in Summer or Autumn 2014.
If you click on the link "The Potential Site" you can see a map of the area that will be knocked down and redeveloped. This will include the old Library, Fletchers Walk and the Cropthorne hotel.
https://www.paradisecircus.co.uk/
And below is why I think the old library should be knocked down.
A few pictures I took about 2 years ago of the very badly named "Paradise Place", this area is just outside the main walkway under the library.
Even people sleeping rough. What a dump.
I find it disgraceful the council allow the middle of the city centre to look like this.
Below is the web site for the new "Paradise Circus" development in that area. It does say redevelopment of the site may start in Summer or Autumn 2014.
If you click on the link "The Potential Site" you can see a map of the area that will be knocked down and redeveloped. This will include the old Library, Fletchers Walk and the Cropthorne hotel.
https://www.paradisecircus.co.uk/
And below is why I think the old library should be knocked down.
A few pictures I took about 2 years ago of the very badly named "Paradise Place", this area is just outside the main walkway under the library.
Even people sleeping rough. What a dump.
I find it disgraceful the council allow the middle of the city centre to look like this.
cookie273uk
master brummie
I can remember in the 40;s (during and post war) when we lived in Shirley regularly catching the midland red bus and alighting in the Bullring, traipsing up to Martineau St to catch the 3X tram to our Nans in Queens Rd Aston, on the way our Mum would take us in the old market hall, treat us to a dish of cockles and mussels at 3d a time and buy some treat for Nan, I loved that old market hall why it was not restored to its former glory I do not know. Eric
Stephen0002002
master brummie
Good debate folks. Good tht people want the city to look nice. It would be good to keep the "best" older achitecture where we can (and I think we do mostly) but probably hightly impracticable sometimes. Variety is good and we do need to try new things. I think people are getting the message about too much concrete now. The 70s are over. There are some people that actually like that look believe it or not. Because it didnt seem too bad at the time. It seemed progressive then..... Its just dated now - (after 40 years) and we all seem to have feelings for older architecture again (but maybe Im just getting old 
The new building is not all concrete tho is it and we do have to move with the times. Onwards and upwards.
Be funny if in 50 years time that our kids start saying ... oi -- we want the concrete back
The new building is not all concrete tho is it and we do have to move with the times. Onwards and upwards.Be funny if in 50 years time that our kids start saying ... oi -- we want the concrete back