Library of Birmingham

The Library of Birmingham is one of Birminghams top free attractions and provides a showcase for Birmingham’s internationally important collections of archives, photography and rare books. Visit Birmingham’s main library, with facilities that include a state-of-the-art gallery space, opening up public access to the collections. Described by its architect Francine Houben as a ‘people’s palace’, the Library of Birmingham is highly accessible and family-friendly.

It delivers excellent services through collaboration between the library, The Birmingham Repertory Theatre, partners and communities. It provides a dynamic mix of events, activities and performance together with outstanding resources, exhibitions and access to expert help for learning, information and culture.

A centre of excellence for literacy, research, study, skills development, entrepreneurship, creative expression, health information and much more, the Library of Birmingham can change people’s lives. Nearly 2 million visitors in 2015 and were the most visited tourist attraction outside of London (based on figures from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions).

Other facilities include a flexible studio theatre, an outdoor amphitheatre and other informal performance spaces and dedicated spaces for children and teenagers. There always plenty of things to do in Birmingham, and this one is a must see while you’re staying in Birmingham.

Exhibitions

Visit the Library’s Discovery Gallery, Digital Gallery and touch table on the Discovery Floor, to see the latest exhibitions and displays from the collections. Don’t forget, there is even more available in the online galleries.

The Library is 31,000 square metres, making it one of the largest public libraries in the world. The construction project included modern new back-of-house facilities for The Repertory Theatre, and in total the development comprises 35,000 square metres.

It is spread over 10 levels of varying size and usage. The building comprises a spacious entrance and foyer with mezzanine, lower ground level with indoor terraces, four further public levels and two outdoor garden terraces, a ‘golden box’ of secure archive storage occupying two levels, provision for staff offices and service plant on a further two levels and at the very top of the building a rotunda feature housing the Shakespeare Memorial Room.