LibraryofBirmingham

What’s on March! Free events and activities in the Children’s and Music Library 📚💐

#PhotoFriday today is this view of studious readers in the Interior Reading Room in the Reference Library at the Central Library in Ratcliffe Place way back in April 1949. Imagine all the shushing back then. Ref – WK/B11/8530 @LibraryofBham @Brumpic

Birmingham has always been at the cutting edge of fashion – just what were the fashionistas of the Victorian era wearing? Here’s a fashion plate from the Crompton Rhodes Collection. Ref - MS 3383, F 391, S 623 - Plate 227 #more-15696" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">theironroom.wordpress.com/2021/11/15/str… @LibraryofBham

Careers Advice for young people at @LibraryofBham Our expert Careers Advisers are here to help you get back into education, employment or training. Aged 16-19 and NEET? (up to 25 with SEND) Book an appointment today! birminghamcareersservice.co.uk/visitus/ @BhamCityCouncil

#NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek - a chance to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported, revealing the talents and strengths of neurodiverse minds. Details of the campaign here: neurodiversityweek.com Ref - LP 65.02, 1971 @LibraryofBham

This week’s blog looks at an intriguing Coroner’s Inquest that has nothing to do with a dead body but rather deceased parrots and parrot fever. Monty Python sketch anyone? theironroom.wordpress.com/2026/03/16/pes… @LibraryofBham

A Happy #StPatricksDay to all. We’re sorry to hear the 2026 parade had been postponed, but events have been taking place in the city - stpatsparade.co.uk/come-along-to-… Here’s the route of the 2010 parade as a reminder of days gone by. Ref: LF 21.7 @LibraryofBham @brumirish

#BirminghamHistory Birmingham Eye Infirmary opened in April 1824 on Cannon Street. Moving to Steelhouse Lane in 1853/4 the Infirmary changed its name to The Birmingham and Midland Eye Institution. The building on Church Street was erected in 1884. Ref: WK/B11/2760 @LibraryofBham

Libby app provides access to free ebooks, newspapers, magazines, and audiobooks. Visit the website to set up your account and start reading. @LibraryofBham @LibbyApp

#PhotoFriday today is the Old Smithfield Market, c. 1887 adjacent to the Bull Ring markets and St. Martin’s church. Ref - WK/B11/327 @LibraryofBham @Brumpic

#SundayShowcase #BirminghamLibrary today is Library Story – History of the Birmingham Central Library. Charting construction through to its closure and demolition. #GoAllIn2026 Ref - L 53.31 CLA @LibraryofBham

#CityOf1000Trades #BSA made bicycles from 1880 at the Armoury Road factory after making guns from 1861. The bicycle business was sold to Raleigh in 1957. Ref – LS 10/ B- 299/1 @LibraryofBham @bsa_bicycles

#BirminghamSchool plans of the George Auden School, Longwill and Victoria schools are also included in the official opening brochure of the George Auden School, 21 April 1964. George Auden School closed its doors in 1999. Ref – LP 48.7 @LibraryofBham

#BlackBritishHistory Birmingham’s first Black councillor, Bert Carless was first elected in 1979. Councillor Carless was awarded an OBE for services to the Handsworth College Group in 1998 @LibraryofBham

The library has self-service kiosks on every floor. You have the option to borrow, return and renew books. You can also use these kiosks to book a computer. @LibraryofBham

#BirminghamViews today is J. Lycett’s (not Joe) 1826 North View of Birmingham published by R.P. Stone of 13 New Meeting Street. Ref – WPS/Large Views Box @LibraryofBham

As spring is fast approaching, we thought we'd treat you to this illustration of Traveller's Joy, Meadow Rue and Pheasant's Eye from The Book of British Wildflowers by Jane London: theironroom.wordpress.com/2016/08/30/aug… Ref: JL 43 @LibraryofBham

#SundayShowcase this week is this anthology bringing topics such as race, religion and identity to the fore, addressing challenges facing Muslim schoolchildren. Ref - L 52.41 IQB @LibraryofBham

Celebrating #IWD2026 a poster for a meeting of the Women’s Freedom League for Suffrage at the Temperance Hall in November 1913. Ref - LE/Women/6 #GiveToGain @LibraryofBham @womensday

#PhotoFriday today is Corbett’s Temperance Hotel, Paradise Street. Opened in 1842 by Joseph Corbett as a boarding and coffee house. The hotel was demolished c.1888—89 to make way for the building of the Post Office. Ref: WPS Large Views @LibraryofBham @Brumpic