Page "Birmingham Central Library" Paragraph 18

The library aimed to provide open access to all 900, 000 of its volumes.

As no basement was possible because of the low level roads beneath the library and a tall book stack was deemed inappropriate because of the desire to keep the height of the building low so it didn ’ t overwhelm the surrounding buildings.

Storage of the volumes is on the same level as the reading areas, this dual purpose led to the low ceiling height of three metres.

Space was opened up in the reference library by opening up sections of the floors into double height reading spaces.

The furniture for the library was specified by the architects with the preference for oak veneer book stacks and black linoleum floor covering.