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The room, created in 1882 to house the
Shakespeare Library, was designed by John Henry Chamberlain who
was responsible for re-building the old Central Library after the original
building was gutted by fire. He also designed Highbury. He was an
admirer of John Ruskin and Gothic architecture, and a founder
member of the Shakespeare Club.
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 | | Detail of the entrance portal |
When the Central Library was demolished in 1974
the room was dismantled and stored, and was eventually re-erected as
part of the School of Music complex. It is now used mainly for
private meetings, but is opened to the public on
City Centre Discovery Day.
The
Birmingham Shakespeare Library outgrew this room in 1906, and the huge
collection is now housed on Floor 3 of the Central Library.
The Shakespeare Memorial Room can be booked by
outside organisations. It has a capacity of 20 people.
Find out more.
Directions to the Shakespeare Memorial Room.
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 | | The old Reference Library reading room |
The L shaped reading room of the old reference
library was on the first floor of the building. The Shakespeare Memorial
room opened off the new wing. It was designed by J. H. Chamberlain after
the
fire which destroyed the original library in 1879.
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 | | Detail of the plasterwork ceiling |
The room was intended to suggest the Elizabethan
style with carvings, marquetry and metalwork representing birds,
flowers and foliage. The woodwork is by Mr.Barfield, a noted
woodcarver, and the brass and metal work is probably by Hardmans.
The ceiling decoration is stencilled.
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 | | Detail of the Shakespeare Memorial room cupboards |
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