Presented at the IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section Mid-year Seminar February 2018, Birmingham, UK

1. The Library of Birmingham
David Potts │ Head of Library Resources
IFLA – 23rd February 2018

2. Birmingham: The City and its people
• Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution
• The ‘city of a thousand trades’
• Belts, buckles, buttons, iron, guns, jewellery, scales, locks, wire
production etc.

3. Birmingham - People
• 1 million citizens (city-region 5.3m)
• 36%+ from ethnic minority communities
• 50+ languages spoken in the city
• Europe’s second most diverse city –
(Amsterdam)
• 46% under 30 years old (39% England average)

4. Local Economy
• Above average unemployment
• Above average number of
people with no qualifications
• Poor graduate retention
• Challenging image domestically
but….
• Strong economic growth (2016)
• Record visitor numbers (39m)
• Office and residential sector
showing strong growth

5. 1865-1879
1882-1974
1974-2013

7. Consulting with the community 1
• What qualities would you like to
see in your new library?
– Welcoming and accessible to all
93.3%
– Helpful and knowledgeable staff
90.9%
– Attractive building and surroundings
80.4%

8. Consulting with the community 2
• Community engagement 2009
– Space for prayer
– Café
– Shop
– Toilets everywhere (!)
– Services for children, young people & families
– Learning spaces (quiet and non-quiet areas)
– Comfortable furniture
– Eating areas
– Access for disabled people
– Friendly staff
• Clearly identifiable
• Friendly
• Knowledgeable
• Not always behind a desk (Floor walkers)

9. Staff dress code

10. “I think when I look back at the @LibraryofBham
opening, the thing I'll remember is how happy
everyone seems today”

11. “Congratulations to the LoB team on their
official opening driving the city into a new
era. Exciting times for Birmingham”

14. HEALTH
HERITAGE
BUSINESS
CHILDREN
READING
LEARNING

15. 15
Collections

16. Events

18. Rewriting the book?
• Library
• Archive
• Unique collections
• Event space
• Corporate venue
• Social meeting space
• Business meeting space
• Tourist attraction
• Brasshouse Language
School

19. The Public Library is public realm
Cafe
Wi-fi
Retail
Gardens
Foyer
Theatre
Meeting Rooms

20. david.potts@birmingham.gov.uk