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New Birmingham library plans

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Thanks Viv. I listened to the 5 minute piece on Radio 4 Today (8:20 to 8:25am). Might be on iPlayer or iPlayer Radio (the Today programme).

It's taken 113 years to complete this square (believe the council bought the land back in 1900 or something like that).
 
I love the first photo on #479, it looks like they are discussing the Library! I wonder what they would have thought?
I'm glad it has been finished on time, still trying to like it. I think I would feel better if the first layer was supported, I know it's safe but I'd prefer a few pillars!!
rosie.
 
Play/post nicely or the posts may just disappear. Mind you if there were to have been a competition I would've voted for Eric.

This Thread is about the Library not about who opens it. Our forum is used as source and research material by many including young people perhaps we could all remember that when posting.
 
How lovely that Malala will place the last book on the shelf and open the library. Well done Brum. Viv.
 
Could I suggest that if you object to the person who will be opening the Library or placing the final book on the shelf that you start a new thread dedicated to the Opening.

As a Brummie born and bred I would like to state I have no such objections.
 
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I have no problems.

Before this was announced, I assumed that they would get some politician to open it.

As Harold Wilson opened the old one in 1974. No Ed Milliband for this one then!


A lot of old Birmingham buildings were opened by members of the Royal Family.
 
Everyone has the right to learn. And this girl wholeheartedly represents that right, having almost sacrificed her life in its pursuit. If they'd chosen some 2 a penny politician or 'celebrity' then I'd have serious objections. But returning to the object of the thread, such a pity that the plans in Ell's photo #492 of Civic Centre were never carried through. A truly cohesive plan which would have given this end of town a true identity. Oh well ..... Viv.
 
The Hall of Memory already existed at the time the model was made (1941). Built 1920. And the only part of the plan that was built was Baskerville House.

It would have included a Natural History Museum.

This plan was abandoned in 1949 as it was too expensive (according to Pevsner).

The male nude statue represented the Spirit of Birmingham. Says that William Bloye produced a maquette for it in 1948.
 
Like many of you posting to this thread this is my third central library and whilst it seemed odd when it was being built I like what I have seen of the pictures. I also like the name Library of Birmingham.
 
Vivienne14 said:
Everyone has the right to learn. And this girl wholeheartedly represents that right, having almost sacrificed her life in its pursuit. If they'd chosen some 2 a penny politician or 'celebrity' then I'd have serious objections. But returning to the object of the thread, such a pity that the plans in Ell's photo #492 of Civic Centre were never carried through. A truly cohesive plan which would have given this end of town a true identity. Oh well ..... Viv.
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The only thing wrong with the choice if you phrase it that way is that this is a library not a school. The obvious choice would have been a writer, preferably with some standing as such and several books in the library that have a connection with the city. There aren't that many about who'd fit the bill.
 
Has anyone got to the archive yet? What is it like? Is it easy to locate and access records?

I have loads of research to do but since I have got to wait another 4 weeks I apparently have loads of time to sort out a plan of campaign. My relies arrived in Birmingham from 1816 so there is not a lot of parish research to do. I have nearly every census and a guesstimate for hatches, matches and despatches for everyone I know about. I did a few voters list searches in the old archive. Have a map of Birmingham with known addresses saved. Where shall I start?
 
Whilst I have every respect for the young lady who has been selected to open the library, I wished that a 'Brummie' had been chosen. I see from the news today that Shakespeare's folios are to be stored there and saying that I agree with WAM that perhaps a writer should have been chosen.
 
I went this morning, the escalators broke down, so did the travelator, the queues for the lifts were long and they are slow, so I didn't "make it" to the Archives to find out what is happening. They should have provided more than one set of escalators after the experiences at the other Library!!!!!!
rosie.
 
Hi bham, the cafe is just inside the door so there's a strong smell of food wafting about!

It wasn't a very good advertisement on the local news as more escalators had given up. Also outside there is a wild patch I presume it's meant to be flowers but it just looks like weeds, some of the visitors were saying it was a pity they hadn't finished the garden at the front, maybe we were missing the point? I didn't get as far as the upper gardens, I think there are wild flowers there.
rosie.
 
I went this morning and nothing broke down. It was quite busy and a lot of people seemed to be just looking around (like me), quite annoying for the people who were using it properly.

I don't mind the outside, it's a bit in your face but ok. The inside is ok I suppose, it looks a great place to meet friends with chairs, benches, nooks and crannies everywhere and there were computers everywhere. I went up to the heritage floor and had a quick look around, bright and spacious but again a lot of people just wandering around. I didn't look for anything, the electoral rolls were in some sort of mechanical bookcase.

The lower terrace was nice, with good views and I can imagine the upper one is just as good. Didn't go on the tour and will wait to see the restricted areas when it quietens down. And I'm sure I missed one or two things.

Don't know what the point was of the two blokes yabbering on in the entrance, no one took a blind bit of notice.
 
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