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IMPORTANT CHANGES AND UPDATES
Reduced Central Library service in 2013
The Central Library is now closed from Floor 3 upwards. Business & Learning on Floor 1 and the Centre for the Child on the Ground Floor are also closed.
Find out more about changes at Central Library
New Loan Period - 21 Days
From Wednesday 28 November 2012 Birmingham libraries will begin trialling a 21 day loan period for books. This trial will last for 12 months after which we will review the trial and seek your views.
Sutton Coldfield Library will re-open on Monday 13 May 2013
Opening hours for Sutton Coldfield Library will be announced shortly.
Please e-mail your comments on any aspect of the library service to
libraries@birmingham.gov.uk or fill in this feedback form
Find out What's New in Birmingham Libraries
Important changes at Central Library
Central Library is now offering a much reduced service on the Ground Floor and Floor 1. There is a basic Lending Library including children’s books on the ground floor in the Internet Centre. There is a study area with current newspapers situated on floor 1.
Find out more about changes at Central Library
New Website for the Library of Birmingham
Our fantastic new website is now live at libraryofbirmingham.com.
Online Library Catalogue
The new online catalogue is now available. Follow the links from this webpage - Birmingham Library Catalogue.
Your Digital Library
You can use many online reference books without even coming to the library, as long as you have a library membership card. Click on this link to see what's available outside libraries - www.birmingham.gov.uk/websitesathome
Computer Booking
Netloan Computer Booking System
This is now operating in most Birmingham libraries.There's no more queuing for computers, but please remember to bring your library card number and PIN to book a session. In response to your comments your allowance is now 6 hours per week. Find out more about changes in Netloan
eBook service
We are pleased to announce that our Downloadable eBooks service is available for members of Birmingham Library and Archive Services. Details of the Downloadable eBooks.
New ! Audiobooks included now.
The new Shard End Library
Downloadable e-audiobooks
This service is now available again for library members. Download talking books for your PC, iPod or MP3 player at any time. Please follow this link for further details - Downloadable eAudiobooks
Online Language Learning
Our new Online Language Learning service is for all library members. Just set up your account on a library computer, then access it anywhere.
Ancestry
Ancestry is available FREE on computers in Birmingham Libraries. Trace your family history using records from England, Wales and Scotland censuses 1841 to 1911, UK parish and probate records and now incorporating the complete General Register Office index of births, marriages and deaths in England and Wales from 1837 to 2005.
Now includes British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index cards 1914 - 1920
New addition National Index of Wills and Letters of Administration (Probate Calendar) from 1861 to 1941. Find out how much your ancestors left in their will and to whom.
Online Resources
Websites to help you with the Driving Theory Test and Life in the UK and British Citizenship tests are now available to library members both on library computers and computers outside libraries. Follow this link - Driving Theory Test and Go Citizen.
Shakespeare
Midlands Historical Data
www.midlandshistoricaldata.org/
This project is making digital copies of rare books, maps, photographs and documents about the West Midlands for viewing online. It's free to use on computers in Birmingham Libraries. The site has Birmingham electoral registers for 1912/13, 1918 (absent voters list), 1920, 1925, 1930/31 and 1935/36 - fully searchable by name - which makes it a useful source for family history research.
Credo Reference
An online reference library that gives you access to a huge range of information, including encyclopaedias, dictionaries and books of quotations, plus a range of specialist subjects. You can search all these sources with one keyword search. Available on your home or office computer too, if you are a member of Birmingham Libraries.