A people's palace opens: the new Library of Birmingham

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to provide an account of the UK's new public library of Birmingham.

Design/methodology/approach

Details the construction, exterior and interior design, contents and location, including special collections, and describes the official opening.

Findings

A large public library building which moves away from old conceptions of libraries, accommodating a variety of functions in a striking and accessible building.

Originality/value

Provides a description of the new Library of Birmingham, the largest public library in Europe.

Citation

Freeman, M. (2014), "A people's palace opens: the new Library of Birmingham", New Library World, Vol. 115 No. 1/2, pp. 65-67. https://doi.org/10.1108/NLW-10-2013-0079