Postcard from Birmingham, Part Six

In recent weeks we have allowed ourselves to be distracted by summer riots, 1980s football matches and pop concerts, the Falkland Islands and even the delivery of mail to the South Pole at Christmas. Puffins will be relieved to read that in this episode we will retreat to the library, particularly section 942 on the Dewy decimal classification – the history of England.

The history of the library service in England reflects a long tradition of promoting access to knowledge and education. It dates back to the medieval period when libraries were often confined to monasteries and universities. These early libraries were not open to the public; their collections were often religious texts, with readership restricted to monks, scholars, and clerics.

However, the rise of printing in the 15th century after the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg, made books more available, paving the way for public libraries. The first significant step towards a public library service in England came with the establishment of private, subscription-based libraries in the 17th and 18th centuries.

These libraries allowed members who paid a subscription fee to borrow books. The growth of these libraries reflected a rising demand for literature among the emerging middle classes during the Enlightenment period when intellectual curiosity and the spread of scientific and philosophical ideas flourished.

The Public Libraries Act of 1850 drove the development of free public libraries and marked a turning point in the history of England’s library service. This legislation, introduced by William Ewart and Edward Edwards, allowed local authorities to raise taxes to fund the creation of public libraries.

The act was motivated by a desire to provide educational opportunities for the working class, to improve literacy, and to offer self-improvement resources at a time when industrialisation was reshaping English society. Although controversial among ratepayers who opposed the idea of being forced to pay for them, the act laid the foundation for the modern public library system in England.

However, somewhat advisory in its nature, the act ‘allowed’ rather than obliged the raising and spending of funds. A grumpy Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette reported that the good burghers of the southern coastal town had voted against the adoption of an ‘inexpensive act’ by a proportion of eight to one. Brexit and Donald Trump-style, the voters were wrong and had been misled by ‘anonymous scribblers,’ ‘pests’ and ‘the grossest misrepresentations.’

One of the earliest libraries to open under this legislation was in Manchester, followed by Birmingham and Liverpool. By the end of the 19th century, public libraries were becoming a common feature in many English towns and cities. Philanthropists like Andrew Carnegie also played a significant role in expanding the library network by funding the construction of numerous libraries across the country.

Throughout the 20th century, the library service in England continued to grow, with libraries becoming central to local communities, offering not only books but also educational programmes, research resources and social spaces.

The digital age in the late 20th and early 21st centuries allows libraries to evolve further and embrace new technologies to provide internet access, e-books and multimedia resources, ensuring the library service remains a vital part of England’s educational and cultural life.

The history of the library service in Birmingham is a story shaped by the city’s commitment to education and public access to knowledge. It dates back to 1860 when Birmingham opened its first public lending library. One of the first cities in England to establish a free public library system under the Public Libraries Act of 1850, this reflected the growing recognition of the importance of education for the general population during the Victorian era.

Birmingham’s first free public library was in Ratcliff Place, and its foundation influenced by the city’s civic leaders, in particular George Dawson, a preacher and intellectual who championed the concept of the “Civic Gospel.” Dawson and others believed in the transformative power of knowledge and believed public libraries to be a way to uplift the working class by providing access to books and learning.

Contemporary newspaper advertisements invited applications from ‘Persons qualified to perform the Duties of Librarian.’ They should send their applications, with testimonials enclosed, to the Free Public Library And Museums Committee. Salary? £75 per annum. Freebies? ‘Residence, fire and light’. In 1865, Birmingham opened the iconic Central Library on the site of what is now Victoria Square. It became a vital institution for the city’s educational and cultural life.

However, on a cold January morning in 1879, a gasman was engaged in thawing gas pipes. He made a small hole in a pipe and ignited the gas coming through it, producing a flame about two inches high. A piece of shaving blew through the flame and ignited before landing among other shavings. Frozen water pipes delayed water being thrown on the flames. Steam fire engines arrived to throw water on the flames but for hours no check was apparent. The interior of the building was destroyed with only the walls left standing, resulting in the loss of over 50,000 volumes.

The Reference Library, the Shakespeare Library and the Cervantes collection were almost entirely destroyed. Given the times, many of the books were irreplaceable as being the only copies in existence. Despite this setback, the library was rebuilt and reopened in 1882. Over the following decades, it expanded its collections and services to meet the needs of the growing industrial city.

Throughout the 20th century, Birmingham’s library service continued to evolve. Branch libraries opened in different districts to provide access to books and information in local neighbourhoods, making the library service more accessible to the wider community. The post-war era brought a renewed focus on improving educational resources, and Birmingham’s libraries became important centres for adult education and self-improvement.

In 1974, a new Central Library opened in Paradise Circus, designed by architect John Madin. Considered an architectural milestone at the time, its Brutalist design divided opinion. The building preceded the Library of Birmingham which was completed in 2013 and is ominously described as ‘modern’ and ‘state-of-the-art’. It is this facility that continues the city’s long tradition of providing free access to knowledge and cultural resources.

Located in Centenary Square, around the corner from Victoria Square and bordering the former memorial gardens beside the Hall of Memory, it claims to be one of the largest and most modern public libraries in Europe. The design blends contemporary aesthetics with functional space – they say.

Designed by the Dutch architect Francine Houben of Mecanoo Architects, the building features a striking exterior with a lattice of interlocking metal rings, paying homage to the city’s industrial past. The library’s bold, geometric structure stands out in the skyline. Think Minecraft plus one or two downloaded add-ons in the hands of an unimaginative under 11.

As Mrs AWS is bit iffy with heights – or at least iffy about allowing her husband to lead her up them – during our day trip we didn’t take in all of the ten levels housing more than a million books. Also offered are a wide range of community spaces, exhibition areas and digital facilities. Amongst a confusing but impressive array of stairs, lifts, escalators and rising moving walkways, visitors can explore a vast array of resources, from a dedicated children’s area to the internationally significant Shakespeare Memorial Room.

This contains one of the most comprehensive collections of works by and about William Shakespeare. There are also study areas, a cafe, and outdoor terraces with panoramic views of the city. One of the unique features of the library is its commitment to sustainability. The building has been designed with energy efficiency in mind, featuring a green roof with plants helping to insulate the building and a sophisticated ventilation system to reduce energy consumption.

In addition to its role as a hub for reading and research, the Library of Birmingham is a centre for cultural and educational events. It hosts regular workshops, exhibitions, performances, and lectures, serving as a community meeting point. And there is quite a view from that outdoor terrace – to which we will return next time.
 

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