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New Birmingham library plans

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hi paul and thank you for finding out about the maintenance of the building..i thought it looked about a 3ft gap...must admit though i didnt think that there would be enough space for a cradle to operate...bit of a tight squeeze me thinks...

thanks again paul

lyn
 
Nice one paul. Now we know they can clean the windows and spray the pigeons off at the same time lol
 
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Hello folks...I just want to get into the new library so that I can return to my family research . Does anyone know if there will be any improvement with regard to the viewers/fiche readers etc? The old ones left a lot to be desired & even the films were very worn & tired...but as I say I cannot wait to get back into the new library, I am prepared to forgive it for not looking very pretty ..it is the information it holds that I want to see !!!

Margaret.
 
I asked about this the last time I went in, but they didn't know what was happening.
When the London Metropolitan Archives had a revamp a couple of years ago, they ditched most of their film readers and hugely increased the number of computers available - but the London Parish registers are digitised by Ancestry, so that was a good solution.

BTW Margaret, the existing library is still open, but the 6th floor is closed on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday. The new library isn't scheduled to open until Sept 3rd 2013
 
Let us hope that we are as lucky as London..or maybe not if the result is even less film readers ! Sadly Saturday is the only day I can get into Birmingham, so I have to be patient until 2013....

Margaret.
 
Hi

Just took a picture of the New Library against Baskerville House. Seems like a Huge Ship has
docked alongside with a Yellow funnel. It blends in with nothing it creates even more different
architectural differences.
 

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It was just that shot on the Tele
we will have to wait on the Prince of Wales view
the last one was a Carbuncle it will be interesting
what this will be. Our latest is a Birds Nest or
a wasps nests.


Mike Jenks
 
mike, I do not think the Prince of Wales, like me, will be at all impressed with it. That pic with Baskerville House (now theres a beautiful building) says it all. I might have found it more acceptable if it was in a different location, East side maybe, it certainly does not fit in its present location. I wonder what it will look like in 30 or 40 years time. Eric
 
Eric
30-40 years time it will be falling apart, and will be demolished. In order to complete whatever "great plan" is in archtects minds at that time, they will probably think it necessary to demolish Baskerville house also at the same time,
 
agree with you mike...mind you it would not surprise me if baskerville house goes in the next 20 years...maybe a vision for yet another eating place..over priced yuppy apartments or student accomodation left empty for years will spring to mind...

lyn
 
mike jenks said:
Hi

Just took a picture of the New Library against Baskerville House. Seems like a Huge Ship has
docked alongside with a Yellow funnel. It blends in with nothing it creates even more different
architectural differences.
Click to expand...

Was close to that spot today
 
My most recent shot from the back on Cambridge Street, back in September




Of the Channel 5 view, my last view from that side, I took back in December 2011




Been having a rest taking new shots of it.
 
Took some new pics today with Baskerville House and the Hall of Memory.

View from the Alpha Tower






Great Charles Street Queensway view with Baskerville House in front



Suffolk Street Queensway view

 
SH100935.jpgSH100936.jpgSH100937.jpgSH100938.jpg

I cannot say that I am over keen on the design, but then again I not aganist either, the truth of the matter is that I don't really care what it looks like, as long what it holds will be kept in conditions, and that we can get to use it 6 days again, instead of the 3 days that we are getting at the moment.......its people that make history not buildings.....
 
mike jenks said:
Hi

Super pics

Mike Jenks
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike.

sistersue61 said:
Lovely pics, thanks Ell, still not convinced about thelibrry though!
Sue
Click to expand...

Thanks Sue.

I can usually see it coming into Digbeth on the bus. Probably will need to get a new skyline shot of it, next time I go around Digbeth.

When it opens next year, it might win an award!

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham recently won a regional design award!

I'm sure the old books hidden in the old library, will be on public display in this one.
 
I would love to hear what Prince Charles thinks of the new Library, he was hardly impressed with the existing one. Eric
 
Totally agree Aston Lad and feel many comments (Pro and Con) are now being repeated with little or no added value. Time maybe to air new comments or wait until it is finished and see what they do inside.
 
Surely, a thread like this is started for the very purpose to invite menbers comments, both for and against, its called democracy. Eric
 
Sorry Eric. You are quite correct and I certainly do not wish nor intend, to stifle debate but surely this has to be by making new comment not merely repeating what has gone before? That is what I thought I had said?

I should also have stated this is me posting as any member of the forum may and not in any Admin role. That surely is my right also?
 
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As a one off building i think it shows imagination, and represents Birmingham well, it conjures up images of old iron works, crafted steel, and chimney stacks. This is a new age and new designs will reflect this.
 
Robert has a valid point, it is a new design for a "new" Birmingham, in a stand alone or different place, I would be quite impressed by the actual construction, but just think it detracts from "old" Brum buildings in its location.
The QE is an amazing building, having watched it go up from scratch at about 2 monthly intervals and although close to the old hospital, is far enough apart for that to retain its identity, unlike baskerville House, which looks completely overshadowed by the new library, as I am only basing this on pictures though, I may change my mind when I actually get to see it.
Sue
 
Yes ...I agree with both Robert and Sue, its in the wrong place, maybe if it was built on the outskirts of the city it would be looked at in a different light, same applies to Selfridges in the Bull Ring....
 
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