The Library of my Dreams

I went to the opening of the new Library of Birmingham yesterday and came home feeling full of inspiration. Malala Yousafzai gave the opening speech and the whole event felt very emotional. I kept thinking about past openings of Birmingham's public buildings - buildings that are so much part of the city's landscape and culture - and felt really proud to be there.  

Once inside, we were completely bowled over. It is an incredible building - stimulating and fun and, in Jo's words, 'the library of my dreams'. I was especially pleased to see so many of the library's collections of eighteenth and nineteenth-century journals out on the shelves. The building is both futuristic and reminiscent of the past and the materials used feel beautiful and solid - there's a lot of wood and stone. The outdoor areas are green and calm; there's a huge music library and film-viewing pods; the children's library is colourful and comfy. Around every corner and curve is something new and quirky. We spent about three hours just walking around yesterday and still didn't get to see everything. I'm really looking forward to spending lots of time there discovering new stuff.