Archives and collections

The Archives and Collections Service staff at the Library of Birmingham are working on recovery and reopening plans with a reduced service. These plans will be in line with the national government guidance and the government’s roadmap to recovery, taking into account local circumstances. Announcements about when specific services can reopen will be published on our web pages.

Once we’re able (we’ll update this page) a limited number of appointments will be available in the Wolfson Centre for Archival Research on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11am to 3pm, to view pre-ordered archive material. All appointments and archive material need to be booked in advance via our online booking system. The Heritage Research Area will remain closed until further notice.

There are two main services you can use:

• Heritage Research Area for printed local and family history, genealogy, maps, local newspapers
• Wolfson Centre for Archival Research is the search room for archival collections, photographs, early printed material. Please note that an appointment is needed to use the Wolfson Centre. (A reader’s ticket is also required – please see our section on CARN tickets for details).