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New Birmingham library plans

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Hi All,

My daughter and son-in-law visited the library yestersay afternoon. As already stated the queues were long but, armed with prior knowledge, they went into the Repertory Theatre then down a corridor which led into the library. They thus avoided queuing. This corridor has apparently been built in order to connect both buildings. The corridor is on the ground floor.

Old Boy
 
I have to agree with my fellow "brummiesas regarding the ugliness of "our" new library
what a monstrosity it really is,when you see the for example it makes you wonder what sort of architects
design these modern day buildings,we even have to look at the lovely Mosques that have been built to realise they are objects of beutiy.I can even admire buildings like the "Gherkin in london And why demolish our old library? surely it could be put to further use? a bed centre for the homeless comes to mind!!!
 
To be fair on them, last weekend they had the replacement to the Arts Festival on in the four squares from the town hall to the Ikon and put on a few events inside the library so there were more visitors than they should usually get. On the other hand they have a rank of around 10 scanners at the entrance but were only letting in people one at a time through one door. I think they've still got a lot of work to do on something. They've put a lot more of the books out on shelves now but a lot of the time it seems like there's an hour long queue to get into the building.
 
Astoness said:
just to remind you all NOT to go up on speck to seaif that's still the case or ismit more sch certain archives material..appointments must be made...just emailed them to make one for the week after next...

lyn
Wolfson Centre for Archival Research
Advance bookings for access to items from the archive, heritage and photography collections is essential and we are taking bookings now, with appointments available from Monday 9 September. Please e-mail archives.appointments@birmingham.gov.uk to book a session, giving details of when you would like to visit, the items you wish to consult and your preferred contact details.
Click to expand...

Is this the only way to book an appointment? Before the move there used to be a telephone number as well.

Also there used to be slots (half hour or an hour or so) Does anyway know if this is still the case or is it more ad hoc?

Thanks.
 
Jumpers will get their bracers caught in the rings...kind of like a bungie sproing.
Ah the past and what of it. The library or any building will grow into it's space and the landscape will become familiar and 'like it' or 'not so' will become again the old norm which was ever so. As long as it does not leak, as the immediate old one did. Now that would be bad.
By the way, I thought that the architecture of the old (old) Market Hall was horrid. Images of The Bastile come to mind. Now that does not mean that I was not fond of the old place. You become fond of the familiar. This building is too far out 'different' for many of us and in a similar vein I bet many are like me...can't stand the incessant need to be constantly in touch with others, even when walking alone down a street. The 'bliss of solitude' is not a cell phone...maybe the phone is itself a cell. Then again, we had television...'that'll get yer nowhere'. The new Library seems to have an overhang which will afford shelter from the rain for passers-by. A nice feature. The inclusion of a coffee or cocoa shop would be a nice feature also, that possibly would bring in revenue...and offer employment. A good thing.
 
Nicely put Rupert.

To answer the question about refreshemnts - [h=2]"Eating and Drinking[/h]The Library Café on the ground floor serves a range of quality eat-in and takeaway food made from British ingredients, simply prepared and changing seasonally. Extra seating is available on the mezzanine level, overlooking Centenary Square. The Discovery Café on floor 3 is also open during peak times, with a selection of freshly prepared deli sandwiches and hot and cold beverages".

And unlike Macdonalds - "You are welcome to bring your own refreshments into the Library, but we ask you please only to consume these in the Lounge areas on each floor. Vending machines for cold drinks and snacks are also available in the Lounge areas".
 
I went this morning, The escalators were working!!!!!! So was the travelator. (Not the Glass Lift though). the ordinary lift going down was locked off to go only to floor 4 and back up. The view from the Secret Garden is wonderful, the wind was strong up there, I don't like heights but I went up and I was OK, I'm a bit proud of myself! The Travelator coming down is a bit daunting, I asked someone if I could follow him as I didn't like looking down it.
In the Archive section I renewed my CARN Card, but didn't use the actual Archive room.
The open access material is in a sort of concertina and only one section can be opened at a time so you have to wait, and then move all the sections along electronically. I don't know how, but one man needed to move many sections to get to his.
The readers have been replaced with ones which have a computer screen. There are toilets on each floor too.
(This post was a lot longer but I got timed out and the Auto save didn't save it all!)
rosie.
 
Thanks for that information Rosie. Do you need to book a machine to look at parish records? Or do you only need to book to look at Archive material?

Judy
 
Jayell said:
Thanks for that information Rosie. Do you need to book a machine to look at parish records? Or do you only need to book to look at Archive material?

Judy
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Yes you do, you also need a library card too, so please take some form of identification with you, driving licence, utility bill etc.

If you are going into the archives you also need to pre book and have a valid CARN card too.

Be aware they have new electronic readers linked up to a PC, takes a bit of getting used to, not as quick as the old readers.
 
dennis said:
I have to agree with my fellow "brummies regarding the ugliness of "our" new library what a monstrosity it really is, when you see the for example it makes you wonder what sort of architects design these modern day buildings.
Click to expand...

Surely it is not the architects "fault" but the fault of the people who ACCEPT their plans and pay for them to be built. If nobody accepted the plans from these architects, and the buildings were not built, they would stop putting in these type of designs.

However while I don't like the outside I have to say the inside is STUNNING and more than makes up for it.
 
dennis said:
And why demolish our old library? surely it could be put to further use? a bed centre for the homeless comes to mind!!!
Click to expand...

The council are trying to "open up" the city. Many visitors go from the New St / Victoria Square area of the city to the Convention Centre / Broad St area of the city.

But the trouble is the old library is TOTALLY IN THE WAY. It acts like some sort of Berlin wall. I have stood in Victoria Square and watched visitors who are totally confused about how they get past the library in to Centenary Square, it is not obvious that you walk past McDonalds and under the library.

So they plan to knock down the old library, AND the Copthorne hotel, and all the other buildings around that area, and totally open it up.

I believe offices mostly will be built, but the main thing is that a wide walkway will be built where the old library is and this will provide a natural flow for people between Victoria Square and Centenary Square.

The demolition will start I think mid 2014, and I guess will take 2 years or so to rebuild the area.

They are also knocking down the old Central TV studios and redeveloping that area, so I can see it being like one huge building site in that area for the next 2 or 3 years.
 
I can't believe I went to edge of the 7th and looked over, a seagull flew by me!
(Some of the cabinets haven't been labelled yet...still have "Post-it" notes on instead.)
rosie.
 
little update folks...unless you drop luckier than i did there is about a 2 week waiting list for the part of the archives that requires us to hold a CARN card..emailed them a week ago to try and get in this thurs or friday..no luck on that so ive got an appointment for the 20th..

lyn
 
The floor space for the open access area seems a lot smaller than before, I hoped it would be larger. It is much lighter though. Has anyone tried to use the concertina shelf things yet?
I noticed a lady eating a banana whilst handling books! Food should only be eaten in certain areas.
Staff were very helpful and friendly throughout the Library.
You will need a Library card and PIN to use the readers now, I think.
rosie.
 
Do the readers accept library cards and pins from outside Birmingham? If not, how can out of towners use them? My library card is Coventry and my current Carn was issued by Gloucester
 
bham said:
Do the readers accept library cards and pins from outside Birmingham? If not, how can out of towners use them? My library card is Coventry and my current Carn was issued by Gloucester
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personally speaking bham i cant see a problem with using both but i would advise you phone them up just to make sure...

lyn
 
This may answer some of your queries but as Lyn suggests a phone call will explain all I assume. Please let us have feedback.
 
They should do, my card was issued in Staffordshire, and I have used it in the old library, both Warwick and Leicestershire records office, just make sure its still in date, I haven't renewed mine but will do when I visit the new library....
 
same here aston lad..have to renew my CARN card on friday as it expired last january...

lyn
 
Likewise, as I live abroad, very few authorities will issue me with a library card, so I have one from Lancashire who don't care a jot where you live!

Maurice
 
We called into the library today en route to Newman Brothers. We asked about joining and were told as long as you have proof of identity it does not matter where it is that you live - not sure this included overseas as we did not ask.

Am about to fill in on-line membership form which I believe will give me a reference number to take into any Birmingham Library for the membership to be finalised.

Hope this helps.



Bernard


Update - Now a fully signed up member of the Library of Birmingham
 
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