Birmingham Central Library is the main library in Birmingham, England. It is located in Chamberlain Square.
Collections
Special features include the Boulton and Watt collection, the Bournville Village Trust Archive and the Shakespeare Memorial Room.
Architecture
The stark 1970s building, designed by John Madin, (the third library on the site) is disliked by most locals and library staff alike, and has famously been described by Prince Charles as "looking more like a place for burning books, than keeping them". Nonetheless, the Twentieth Century Society are campaigining for its retention.
Library of Birmingham
A replacement library, to be called the "Library of Birmingham", on a new campus in the city centre's "Eastside " is planned. Birmingham City Council has commissioned the Richard Rogers Partnership to develop the concept designs.
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