Library of Birmingham
Library of Birmingham
The new Library of Birmingham is a stunning building both inside and out. Here you can:
- Research the vast Birmingham Archives of books and images
- Visit one of our many exhibitions
- View films at the BFI Mediatheque
- Obtain free legal advice
- Browse the internet on our free wifi
- or simply read a great book!
You can also browse millions of books, manuscripts, photographs and music in person or via our online catalogue. You can also visit our exhibitions and, as a centre for knowledge and discovery, we offer a vast collection of resources, covering every topic under the sun. Laid end-to-end, the book collection alone would stretch from Birmingham to Edinburgh!
Find out about our Young Libraries programme HERE.
Green Library
Tours
Tours are available for groups and individuals, and must be pre-booked. More information about tours and group visits.
Exhibitions
Look out for our programme of events, exhibitions and activities. Details of what’s on at the Library of Birmingham and how to book are available by clicking on What's Happening above and in the Library.
The Gallery on level 3 is the venue for an exciting programme of exhibitions showcasing the Library's archive, heritage and photography collections, plus visiting exhibitions.
Wolfson Centre for Archival Research
The Archives, Heritage and Photography service is on level 4 and is open all the time the library is open. Here you can see birth, marriage and death registers, parish records, Birmingham newspapers, maps, trade directories and many other resources for Birmingham history. If you wish to view original archive material, you need to visit the Wolfson Centre for Archival Research. The opening hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am - 5pm, Thursday 10am - 8pm and Saturday 10am - 4pm.
Getting Around
The Library of Birmingham is designed to be highly accessible to all. Getting around the building is easy, with a step-free entrance and lifts to all floors, in addition to ramps, escalators, travelators and stairs.
The new Library of Birmingham is located at Centenary Square, the city’s most important public open space in the heart of Birmingham city centre’s Westside. The new Library is next to and physically connected with Birmingham Repertory Theatre (The REP). Other important cultural venues including The ICC, Symphony Hall, NIA, Town Hall and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery are located very close by. The site has excellent public transport links and is on a major pedestrian route (it is estimated that up to 13 million people walk past the site annually)