Libraries

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Monday

11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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Address

Neighbourhood: Ladywood

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See what travellers are saying

Narcis
Bucharest, Romania2 contributions
Great place to visit
I really recommend visiting the library. It’s an amazing piece of modern architecture, and at the same time it’s the biggest public library in Europe. It has two rooftop gardens and you will find there a wonderful Shakespeare collection. It’s worth trying, I’m not lying 🤪
Visited February 2024
Travelled with friends
Written 18 March 2024
Sheila T
5 contributions
A sight worth seeing in Birmingham: the library
This building is memorable for its design: people-friendly, large, beautiful both inside and out. A real boon to the city of Birmingham. Half-way up, there is also a roof garden with much greenery and benches for the public.
Visited May 2024
Travelled as a couple
Written 10 July 2024
DreamJetsetter
Birmingham, United Kingdom64 contributions
One to visit
Great place great people. Views of the city are amazing. Mist staff are helpful. The study rooms are hard to get as people book away in advance which I do not think is fair. However , if you can access one they are well equipped.
Visited May 2024
Travelled on business
Written 26 August 2024
عبدلخالیق ر
Birmingham, United Kingdom9 contributions
it’s a place that inspires
Visiting the Library of Birmingham was a delightful experience. The building itself is a modern masterpiece, with its striking design drawing you in immediately. Inside, the atmosphere is welcoming and bright, perfect for exploring the extensive collection. I loved the rooftop garden with its stunning city views—a peaceful escape in the middle of Birmingham. The Shakespeare Memorial Room was a hidden gem, offering a quiet space to reflect. The staff were friendly and eager to help. Whether you’re there to dive into a book or simply enjoy the architecture, it’s a place that inspires.
Visited March 2024
Travelled with family
Written 29 August 2024

These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5

3,839 reviews

Excellent

2,428

Very good

1,036

Average

236

Poor

74

Terrible

65

Cidrman2306

59 contributions

What a Palaver!

July 2021

Very impressive building, used to visit regularly before I had my own computer. Would have scored 5 but for an annoying experience this week. I needed to photocopy a couple of maps, the lifts would not stop at the upper floors, the escalators roped off, with just one staff member on each floor, apparently you now have to make an appointment. Presumably the absent staff are sitting at home on full pay.
They did allow me to go up, but they now don't accept cash for the copying, and I didn't have my debit card. The man on duty claimed the reason was (you guessed it) "because of Covid".I replied rubbish, there is ZERO evidence of Covid being transmitted by coins, the real reason is it's more convenient for the staff. Fortunately they were able to debit my library card. How come private sector concerns like shops, supermarkets, pubs and restaurants who have to compete for customers have no problem with cash? That's the public sector for you.

Written 29 July 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

natter

Birmingham, UK3 contributions

Love the library

Feb 2019 • Family

I love this place ..full.of interesting books and history information it has an amazing viewing platform and secret roof top garden..which i love
Only down side is that at busy times the lifts are slow..sometimes easier to walk up the 9 flights or more of stairs .. sometimes the viewing platform and garden are closed for private functions or other reasons so good to check before going

Written 5 January 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ade

3 contributions

Interesting place, and totally free!

Dec 2019

Easily the biggest library I've ever seen. There's a section for anything you can possibly think of. Honestly, I'm not that big on reading. In fact, I prefer watching a film. However, if I lived or worked nearer to this, that'd change pretty fast. There's also some really nice seating areas dotted all over the building, a roof top garden and viewing platform, and an absolute maze of stairwells if you fancy ditching the lift.

I was pleasantly surprised.

Written 26 February 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ann C

Nashville, TN3,329 contributions

Birmingham Library

Dec 2021

Currently Covid numbers are higher than they have ever been. There are signs in the library saying you have to wear a mask. We appreciated this, we wore masks...but none of the staff wore masks, nor did the 2 security men. A man approached the security men and asked them if he had to wear a mask and the security men told him 'only if you want to'. How about lead by example? I understand that it is difficult to enforce, but no staff wore masks and their own signs were ignored completely. I find this difficult to accept.

The library itself is a lovely example of a modern library. The top floor houses a Shakespeare collection. It presented rather cluttered with children's notes all over the place, surely there is a more suitable place to present the children's items.

There are two outdoor garden areas that have lovely views of the city. One is a herb garden. The herb garden is in drastic need of being winterized, it was left in a mess.

Written 19 December 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Willowbell

Stafford, UK134 contributions

Great View from the top!

Apr 2019

We went last year to have a nose of the interior, and it was fabulous from what we saw. We managed to find ourselves to the top of the building with an amazing view across of Birmingham. It was quite busy on the day we went, so didnt stop to browse the books etc, otherwise we would have. The new architecture is fab - inside and out, and once the rest of the building work done in Centenary Square is complete the building will no doubt stand out even more!

Written 6 March 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

clairelouise2014

Derby, UK97 contributions

Stunning building both inside and out

Feb 2020

We visited on a chilly February day. Thoroughly enjoyed the space age style escalator rides Up the central part of the building. From the top escalator you can either take the lift of stairs up to the indoor and outdoor viewing areas. We had to take the stairs as the lifts seemed to be out of action but it was good exercise. Brilliant views from the indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Be sure to visit the Shakespeare room which is full of interesting information related to Shakespeare and his life/writings. The library have some of his first folios.

Written 1 March 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Neil K

Liverpool, UK829,425 contributions

Very cool building.

Sept 2020 • Friends

Library Of Birmingham is a superb looking modern building that dominates Centenary Square.
My twin brother Stephen and I were heading to The Post Office Vaults Pub and passed this extraordinary building, a relatively modern structure set over several floors , I never ventured inside but saw they had a cafe which I would have visited but my tram was about to leave ,I just loved the look of the library building, very photogenic made for some great photographic opportunities, its easy to locate on Centenary Square and hard to miss such is its size.
Well worth checking out if you're in the area.

Written 13 September 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Penelope

43 contributions

Great free exhibits and views of the city

Feb 2023

Definitely recommend visiting here! The library interior is very stylish and riding up the escalators seeing all the books is breathtaking. Be sure to stop at both of the terrace gardens for a good view or just a nice place to sit and relax. The higher level in particular has a nice view over a neighbouring park. On the 9th floor is the Shakespeare memorial room and an indoor viewing platform, which are both worth a visit. Be aware that the library can get very busy, and you might have to wait a while to take the lift up (or else climb a lot of stairs). The library also has some displays showing the history of Birmingham and a more artistic style exhibit on the ground floor. I'd recommend budgeting about 30-45min for the library. If you're coming here on a weekend trip, note that it's shut on Sundays.

Written 6 February 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anita B

Bristol, UK30 contributions

Not what you would expect from a normal library!

Oct 2021

We ascended in the lift to a viewing platform called 'The Terrace' which allowed views over the city. We then went up further to almost the top of the library to visit 'The Shakespeare room' which was a panelled room containing original artefacts. We then walked around the corner to discover 'The Secret Garden' which offered spectacular views over the Birmingham skyline. Well worth a visit.

Written 17 October 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dan W

Tamworth, UK27 contributions

Amazing building. But...

July 2022 • Family

The Library is a fantastic building. The views from its rooftop gardens and its observation point at the very top are something else. As you'd expect, there's a fantastic selection of books, too!

However, it's let down by the feature lift in the main atrium still being broken after aroud 5 years. It's quite grubby in places, especially the windows and minor things, such as Microsoft Word produced A4 notices sellotaped to walls etc. Do take the sheen off.

At present, there's nowhere to get anything g to eat or drink as the former cafe has been taken over by the Commonwealth Games. It looks like there is a facility for an outdoor coffee shop on the roof, but I've never seen this used.

Worse still, is the restricted opening hours. Only open from 11 on a Saturday and not open at all on a Sunday, which seems a waste of such a fantastic and iconic building.

Written 14 August 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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