Birmingham library
Having recently returned from the public library at Birmingham, I thought I would share my thoughts about the library. Having arrived late on the Tuesday, I wandered around. To say the library is big is an understatement, its big to the point of being bewildering, it took 45 minutes to do a round trip around the library spanning 9 floors. Instead of a feeling of wonderment about not knowing what was around the corner, I had a feeling of being uneasy and just in the way. Which is not a feeling I have ever had in a library before, usually they have been my havens, a meeting place for friends, a place to research and get lost in, that is, in a good way. But here even with a map, I was still wandering around like a tourist, who didn’t quite speak the language.
Shakespeare
Having looked at the map before I entered the building, one of the rooms I really wanted to see was the Shakespeare Memorial room, so I headed straight for there. I am making it sound like it was easy, but confusingly levels 5&6 being off limits to the public, clearly for the offices, but somewhat confusing. I ended up teaming up with another library tourist who was trying to get there. We found the much talked about glass lift from floor 4 out of action, so a normal lift was called for. But when I got to the Shakespeare memorial room, I must say it did not disappoint, it was pretty impressive, including a great view, from the secret garden overlooking the city of Birmingham. The Shakespeare memorial room was a replica of the original due to the 1800s fire. Still it was interesting and provided a grand space, sadly most of the books were placed too high, so I was unable to read the actual spines, and obviously everything was behind glass. But still it was an interesting space.
Staffing
One thing that I couldn't understand was the staffing system, the staff stood out, as they all wore blue waistcoats, but they didn't seem to be doing anything. A couple of them smiled at me, and I am guessing that they would have helped if I had asked. But what I really wanted was to speak to another librarian, about the culture of the library and the complex nature of the move, as I assume there are plenty of the working there, but they seem to avail me. Even before I set off I tried to contact one via their website, but with no luck. Another point about the staff, nobody seemed to tidy up, certain areas looked somewhere between well-loved to overly loved and messy. Nobody seemed to straighten the books. I know at this point I am starting to sound old and grumpy. Which isn’t right at all, I’m not 30 yet and I really liked the library. But for me some of the basics were missing, which a contrast to the high volumes of staff that were standing around. That’s all.
The following day, I decided to return and I did manage to speak to a few members of staff, two counter Staff and a cleaner, all of whom seems perfectly polite.
Design and everything else
The planning of this library must have been a mammoth task, clearly loads of research had been done prior to the planning stage into what Birmingham's audience wanted, with a plethora of activities being on offer. The library probably shouldn’t be called a library more library plus because of everything else that it offers, the coffee shop (ok pretty standard now) but the exhibition space, the gardens and Shakespeare’s memorial room were an added bonus, and there was a small shop in the foyer.
I really liked the timeless colour scheme, of white up to level two, then it having a feeling like the bodleian library circle. From this point on the décor changes to black and has a more adult/ researchers feel. A stark contrast to the basement floors, which are brightly coloured.
It was great to see that the city had BFI Mediatique, this is something I have looked at before for Plymouth, but was unsuccessful in obtaining it, as we needed a purpose built space, something we couldn’t offer at the time.
I spent quite a bit of time, just people watching, seeing people sitting 2-3 on the benches; it was clearly a well-used space. To be fair they were mostly teenagers, but this was also 6-7 in the evening, but one group of suited business men. Which I have to say slightly amused me, seeing three expensively dressed men almost lying down and working. But clearly feeling very comfortable in there surrounds.
The city obviously has a large background in music, as the music library was fantastic, there was a keyboard being played, pretty well, I have to say by two teenage boys. I must have stopped and stood there for quite a while, as when they stopped playing both turned to look at me and both smiled. One boy looked pretty pleased that he had an audience the other less so.
If I returned in a few months or a years’ time I would like to see, more signage that is clearer. The signage was on large pillars, and it was clear that some had been moved, as the signage made no sense. Plus there are certain areas that have few books in them, one section I would have liked to have seen more books in was the environmental sections, which has 15 metres of empty shelves. I can only guess that this is here for growth.
The next day
I decided to head back the next day, I ended up arriving really early, at 7.40am when there were already people in the queue to get in, by 8am (opening time), I was the 20th person in the queue. It was all walks of life, men in suits, women and students. Which I have to say, I can’t think of many other libraries where people would be queuing on a cold and damp Wednesday morning. But with that said, strangely there was some hostility towards the door person about not being able to open the doors, 10 seconds after8am.
This morning, I had a plan, having dedicated yesterday to the upper levels today I was going to investigate the lower ones. My first stop middle earth in the children's library and I had high hopes, with the cities connection to Tolkien, I was hoping to see like Shakespeare memorial room, something connected to the great man or his work. As I walked down, thinking about the movies, I loved and Tolkien’s work, I was getting more and more excited with each step. The room was partially obscured by blinds on the inside, making the anticipation even greater. What I was greeted by was a sterile blank room, with chairs. This is possibly one of the biggest disappointments I have faced. I was gutted, I headed shoulder slumped back to the upper levels, never to mention it again.
Trying to brighten my mood, I went up to the lower terrace, sitting on one of the two roof terraces, this felt like a real treat, whilst sitting there, I only needed a cup of tea and a good book to read. its not particularly warm and my mind is racing with the busy journey ahead of me, but this is very pleasant indeed. A librarians holiday.
Leaving the roof terrace, I take a wonder over to the Cultural Exhibiton space, which currently is celebrating the history of Birmingham. I was a little disappointed about the tour, only happening at certain times on certain days. As I would have liked to have done that, but I did wander around the otherwise person empty space and loved it. I suppose this is one of the major selling points, this library is more than a place to lend books, it offers a variety of activities and events. Having looked at what events were happening this month, I could have easily attended the library, for an exhibition, a yoga class and other events and never need to borrow a book. This library truly has become a library of the future, one which embraces technology and the audience it is there for. For that reason you have to be impressed, so not everything is exactly to my likely, it was never going to please everyone every day of the week. People of Birmingham you are very lucky to have such an excellent example of a library. Treat her well.
