Key announcements

Our council tax and benefits online systems and forms may be unavailable on Saturday 21 May between 8am and 2pm due to planned maintenance. Details of how to offer support to Ukraine residents fleeing war, and where to find information and advice are on our City of Sanctuary webpage

Library of Birmingham opening hours

Archives and collections

There are two main services you can use.

Heritage Research Area

Here you will find printed local and family history, genealogy, maps, local newspapers.

Opening hours are:

  • Monday and Tuesday - 11am to 7pm
  • Wednesday to Saturday - 11am to 5pm

Wolfson Centre for Archival Research

This 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).

Opening hours are:

  • Tuesday - 11am to 6pm
  • Wednesday and Thursday - 11am to 4pm
  • Saturday (monthly) - 11am to 4pm

Saturday openings will be on:

  • 23 April 2022
  • 21 May 2022
  • 18 June 2022
  • 16 July 2022
  • 13 August 2022
  • 10 September 2022
  • 8 October 2022
  • 5 November 2022
  • 3 December 2022

We will be closed from:

  • 25 April, reopening Tuesday 3 May 2022
  • 12 September, reopening Tuesday 19 September 2022
  • 25 December, reopening Tuesday 10 January 2023
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