tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post9038692075827746503..comments2024-03-29T15:22:02.787+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: The cycle of life of the Birmingham Library ... Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-54259186082369329642015-10-16T07:26:02.335+01:002015-10-16T07:26:02.335+01:00@ Monti - glad you enjoyed it ... and re the clean...@ Monti - glad you enjoyed it ... and re the cleaning - I've no idea!! I can't believe they polish the aluminium?!<br /><br />@ Chrys - the outside is certainly impressive. The old days ... they loved beautiful things, but couldn't keep them safe in those early days of indoor gas lights, electricity, piped water etc ... <br /><br />@ Gattina - some of our architecture from those times was terrible and the tower blocks we have today reflect it. Not much could be done to protect the books 130 years ago ... <br /><br />@ Jeffrey - I really should visit more libraries ... something that I think I'll put on my bucket list. I don't think they'll pull it down just yet - but certainly it needs a leading hand to pull it together.<br /><br />I hope you can get to London .. the British Library is amazing - and there are other libraries around.<br /><br />@ New Release Books - I know the Birmingham Library's situation is sad<br /><br />@ Theresa - the exterior does stand out and announce itself.<br /><br />Thanks so much for visiting .. cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-68118775302669659532015-10-16T02:22:00.744+01:002015-10-16T02:22:00.744+01:00interesting exterior design on that place.interesting exterior design on that place.TexWisGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13641962051044162710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-24627780847426923392015-10-16T00:43:30.204+01:002015-10-16T00:43:30.204+01:00So sad. Libraries are a book lovers haven. So sad. Libraries are a book lovers haven. New Release Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16578691797654868865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-83988374908276495042015-10-15T21:35:50.544+01:002015-10-15T21:35:50.544+01:00I do so love libraries. And the more interesting, ...I do so love libraries. And the more interesting, the better. This sounds like a great place to visit. At least before a new library is commissioned. ;)<br /><br />I keep telling myself the next time I'm in London I will visit the library there. At least it will be a nice quiet place to do a bit of blog posting.Jeffrey Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06973104877310669196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-11522165732832028682015-10-15T17:38:38.646+01:002015-10-15T17:38:38.646+01:00It's a pity that they had such an awful taste ...It's a pity that they had such an awful taste for buildings in the 60th/70th the building looks really ugly to me. How terrible that so many books had burnt !usually I love libraries inside it smells so good ! Gattinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06636525277807715146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-33626427599585732052015-10-15T17:08:20.805+01:002015-10-15T17:08:20.805+01:00That is the fanciest library I've ever seen! T...That is the fanciest library I've ever seen! The artwork and architecture on the outside is amazing! <br /><br />It's terrible that the library burned down and so many volumes were lost. This library sure has a history.Chrys Feyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955009490266358041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-34284208914578684272015-10-15T15:57:44.703+01:002015-10-15T15:57:44.703+01:00Thank you, Hilary, for yet another interesting and...Thank you, Hilary, for yet another interesting and comprehensive article. I wonder how you clean that massive ornate exterior. Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17417679983279135001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-28872716476045543142015-10-15T09:36:29.671+01:002015-10-15T09:36:29.671+01:00@ Julie - I hadn't heard of Brutalist architec...@ Julie - I hadn't heard of Brutalist architecture before this post - but felt I needed to put the term in ... it is succinct! The Shakespeare room is amazing ... I'd have liked to have spent more time there ... perhaps another day, as I'd like to see more of Birmingham. <br /><br />I know it's sad about libraries as a whole here in the UK at the moment - some are thriving, but others not so well. We had a great lunch ... it's a fun post!<br /><br />@ Crystal - yes libraries are wonderful aren't they. I know the fire really took hold ... but the woodwork has been re-created as per 'old days'.<br /><br />@ Christine - it is shuddering time - well it was here .. it should have been pristine and new, and everyone should have been so proud, sadly not so.<br /><br />@ Mary - I know .. but fire in a building would be so likely to happen - electricity was so new in the late 1800s. I hope Birmingham Library can get their act into gear .. and get it sorted out.<br /><br />@ Susan - I'm glad you appreciated the history - it was an interesting journey line for the library ... so many reincarnations ... sadly this one isn't doing too well. I'm not sure where this went wrong - but I hope they can recover themselves ... two years is not long.<br /><br />@ Jess - yes lots of libraries over the centuries - and exactly as you say - I hope it rises above its past ... it should do.<br /><br />@ Susan - good to see you again and I've emailed re Feedly ... hopefully that will solve the problem. Thanks for going back too. Glad you enjoyed the read ... Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-54123850718109595942015-10-15T08:31:26.910+01:002015-10-15T08:31:26.910+01:00Hilary, I wish there was a way to receive your blo...Hilary, I wish there was a way to receive your blog posts when they come up. I see you've written 4 this month already! I'll go back and check them - always a delicious and fascinating read thank you.Susan Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12041548718544123557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-70094350900842464302015-10-15T02:42:17.519+01:002015-10-15T02:42:17.519+01:00Wow! This library has been through a lot. I love ...Wow! This library has been through a lot. I love libraries and hope this one will finally rise above its past. :)<br />~JessDMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202502753961748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-77186272061329395622015-10-15T01:48:27.308+01:002015-10-15T01:48:27.308+01:00That's an interesting and complicated history....That's an interesting and complicated history. Too bad that things are not being run as well as they should be. Libraries are so important and should get better funding.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-27567479517434667442015-10-14T21:23:23.455+01:002015-10-14T21:23:23.455+01:00Wow, that was a lot of books lost in that fire. Sa...Wow, that was a lot of books lost in that fire. Sad that it's declined so the last two years. Libraries are so awesome.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-10307611614035315912015-10-14T18:59:24.864+01:002015-10-14T18:59:24.864+01:00That is so sad. I'm also a library lover. To t...That is so sad. I'm also a library lover. To think such a thing... I shudder.Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-61361060740171455392015-10-14T16:49:55.408+01:002015-10-14T16:49:55.408+01:00I ADORE libraries and reading about the 50K books ...I ADORE libraries and reading about the 50K books reduced to 1000? Ouch. Such beautiful wordwork... Crystal Collierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912469552483168148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-3820878528491613312015-10-14T14:56:14.571+01:002015-10-14T14:56:14.571+01:00I'd never heard of Brutalist architecture but ...I'd never heard of Brutalist architecture but what a horrible term! But it does seem to suit the style. Looks ugly and harsh.<br />The Shakespeare room in the current incarnation is so lovely! What a shame the library is struggling again. I hate to read that about any library, I love them so.<br /><br />Looking forward to reading about the next phase of your visit. Hope you had a great time. :)Julie Flandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003737491313673214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-64880539286154360312015-10-14T13:57:48.036+01:002015-10-14T13:57:48.036+01:00@ Deniz - well you made me check on Tolkien's ...@ Deniz - well you made me check on Tolkien's Birmingham .. and it looks like an area I should visit ... perhaps I'll do that one day .. with friend and perhaps the boyfriends as he's into literature.<br /><br />@ Diana - I think I got the after-effect once I read various articles about the build .. and how there wasn't one organisation leading the development ... hence the fact the whole is now suffering ... I wonder what the City Council are doing to hold things together ... budgets I know are a constraint.<br /><br />But your comment and reply to yourself ... seems right they don't seem to realise what's happening ... and perhaps even worse are turning a blind eye - mind you if the log sits there much longer - the eye will be blind and the Library more decrepit. Thanks for picking up on my thoughts ... <br /><br />@ Judy - good to see you ... your holiday looked wonderful - loved the photos. I don't think they can demolish this library just yet ... but they could keep it in a better state of repaid inside ... obviously cash is a serious worry.<br /><br />I gather the infrastructure in South Africa is getting much worse and really awful in places ... <br /><br />Wait and see about my lunch .. it was such fun ... and you'll laugh - the Botanical Professor is a great find!!<br /><br />Cheers to you all - great to have the added commentary to my post .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-87408506876352978582015-10-14T13:17:01.740+01:002015-10-14T13:17:01.740+01:00What an amazing library Hilary - but sad to read t...What an amazing library Hilary - but sad to read that it's not in great repair and may be demolished. Our libraries are struggling too - the impact of the technological age and eBooks, <br /><br />Hope you had a great lunch with the botan prof & your god daughter!<br /><br />Judy<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/stranger-strange-land-Judy-Croome/dp/0987044796/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437977489&sr=8-1&keywords=judy+croome+a+stranger&pebp=1437977493226&perid=1XK2NHXZHTCKQ8KMHTNW" rel="nofollow">“a stranger in a strange land” poetry by judy croome</a>Judy Croome | @judy_croomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17455755011354905278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-42237533577325866882015-10-14T12:18:22.651+01:002015-10-14T12:18:22.651+01:00I do love the reading room Your comment, though, ...I do love the reading room Your comment, though, about how attention to detail has made the whole suffer made me pause, consider, and nod thoughtfully. Rather like being concerned about the speck in someone else's eye and not realizing that you have a log in your own? Perhaps so. Diana Wilderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11074083771067857127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-54583228546664930322015-10-14T10:18:16.694+01:002015-10-14T10:18:16.694+01:00Ooh, Birmingham! Of all places, it's actually ...Ooh, Birmingham! Of all places, it's actually a city I'd like to visit, mostly for its Tolkien connections. Will add the library to the list of sites to see!Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-8845665207795451122015-10-14T07:38:18.316+01:002015-10-14T07:38:18.316+01:00@ Beste - I didn't know the history when I sta...@ Beste - I didn't know the history when I started writing the post, but had wanted to visit from the enthusiasm the new library was getting during the build a few years ago. I sincerely hope all will be well - it's shabby and lacking funds for now.<br /><br />@ Hart - yes it does look so different and so 'I'm here .. come in and read some books' ... and really should be amazing and much loved. You've raised an interesting idea ... about the clerestoried reading room and the British Library's history in London - it has a new building - which I love: red brick.<br /><br />Brutalist architecture - I hadn't come across the term .. but now I have and a few of you have picked up on the description ... the 1970s and 1980s era ... <br /><br />@ Ana - it is a sad tale - I too couldn't live without my books ...<br /><br />@ Jo - I enjoyed the architecture ... but perhaps the overall concept doesn't quite work together with what's going on inside. I'm glad the local library is such a good one - you're lucky ...<br /><br />@ Nick - I know exactly ... we can't please everyone. I enjoyed the brief amount of research I did on the library for the post - and coming across the term 'brutalist' was definitely a find. Concrete was big - and now fairly detrimental.<br /><br />@ Diane - I know the ending and my visit re the library was not good and I couldn't wax lyrical ... I hope they sort things out. We shall see how local services, such as libraries fare in the coming few years .. I hope they last. I'm not sure why I never did spend time in libraries .. we had plenty of books, and when I was at school the library was there ... <br /><br />lunch with god-daughter coming up on Friday!<br /><br />@ Sharon - yes ... sad tale, but one I enjoyed finding out about ... <br /><br />@ Anabel - you must see and know about lots of these libraries, and I couldn't agree more about the detrimental effect on other local libraries. Birmingham developmentally seems a bit of a mish-mash - perhaps dating back to the post war development ... and subsequent phases ... let's hope it improves.<br /><br />@ Gary - lovely to see you. I'm glad you appreciated the post - despite its sad tale of woe ... it is still open ... and I know lots of libraries are being looked at to close - which is very sad.<br /><br />Fortunately I was with some friends from South Africa with English as their home language - so we were fine ... and we got fed and watered! The people at the library struggled with me and I with them in our mutual understanding of my needs at the end of a day: indicative of their unhappiness.<br /><br />@ Ian - I know. Gosh the Seattle library is amazing - and that history would be fascinating to read about; they are Carnegie libraries, so have extra funding - and presumably from Microsoft. Loved the building though.<br /><br />I'm glad to see your libraries over the border are in good health.<br /><br />@ Karen - yes the history is quite long isn't it ... nearly 400 years. I'm happy to have the information in the blog .. and we had a lovely time together - the food was good too.<br /><br />@ Paula - thanks - the facade does look amazing and I'm sure can be seen from strategic points around the city. I agree - the collections of books in some of our large houses are just so amazing, with their special effect on the feel and aroma of the house is just lovely. Some of the much smaller museums and libraries have that effect too ... <br /><br />Oh - I've got lots of books to read around the house ... mind you if I get one out of the library, then it needs to be read!<br /><br />Thanks so much to you all - it's great you enjoyed the history of the Birmingham Library ... cheers Hilary and I'll see you for lunch on Friday!<br /><br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-76400895466922899552015-10-14T04:29:06.597+01:002015-10-14T04:29:06.597+01:00The library is incredible. I simply love the façad...The library is incredible. I simply love the façade. I think libraries across the world are suffering. I image it is the Internet. I love to walk around in an old library. The smells are amazing. And just looking at books and their titles can take me ages. I always want to check out so many. And then I don't get them read. Sadly, I don't often go anymore. Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17406717262345866373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-33597699816054397532015-10-14T03:46:51.622+01:002015-10-14T03:46:51.622+01:00What rich history! Sorry to hear about the sad sta...What rich history! Sorry to hear about the sad state, though. Glad you shared the info, and happy also to hear you had a fun visit with treasured friends. Have a good week! Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-1439283084660519222015-10-14T02:00:06.697+01:002015-10-14T02:00:06.697+01:00That's a sad story, Hilary. I love libraries a...That's a sad story, Hilary. I love libraries and hate to see (or hear of) them in a state of neglect. Thankfully our library system still appears to be in good health, and if you want a real eye-opener look up images for the Seattle library. We discovered it quite by accident when we visited a few years back.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-19894915883338563212015-10-13T23:46:01.395+01:002015-10-13T23:46:01.395+01:00Hi Hilary,
The Birmingham Library, subject to con...Hi Hilary,<br /><br />The Birmingham Library, subject to controversy and mixed, opposing opinions. I appreciate the history lesson. It saddens me to read about the disinterest by some of the staff at the library. <br /><br />I suppose, at least it's a library still open. This lunatic government wants to close down the one in Leek.<br /><br />Hope you adjusted to the Birmingham accent, the one in England, of course. Then again, the Birmingham, Alabama accent might well be a challenge.<br /><br />I'm rambling and thus, cheerio for now, Hilary.<br /><br />Gary klahaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613505424843475639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-83483477043580391982015-10-13T21:13:01.194+01:002015-10-13T21:13:01.194+01:00The sad thing is, this has happened in other citie...The sad thing is, this has happened in other cities too. They invest vast amounts of money in huge flagship libraries to the detriment of the network of local branches which are more use to local people. Then they can't afford to run the flagships either......<br /><a href="http://anabelsblog.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Anabel's Travel Blog</a>Anabel Marshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15643196773717977697noreply@blogger.com