Library of Birmingham progress in photos

December 06, 2012

Library of Birmingham progress in photos

Here are some pictures showing the new Library of Birmingham in November 2012 together with pictures preceding my earlier blog post, Library of Birmingham October - November 2012 update, showing work on the new library from August 2012.

Work is continuing with some rooms nearing completion; The Birmingham Post reports from October that the front lobby facing Centenary Square should be the first area to be completed.

Already some of the rooms are taking shape. Wood panelling lines the walls of the new 300 seater studio theatre which occupies the ground floor link between the library and the Birmingham Rep. Gold panels are already fitted to ceilings on one of the open spaces, set to be the public facing end of the archives section, while a smooth black floor panels are in place elsewhere.

The front lobby, facing Centenary Square is set to be the first area completed early next month, but is still awaiting the marble effect floor tiles. Eventually it will house a coffee shop and information points.
http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2012/10/05/first-look-inside-the-new-library-of-birmingham-65233-31967574/

The Library staff expect to start moving books and IT equipment in at the end of April 2013 and five years since after it's launch the project has saved £5 million.

The new archives section, which will be home to the internationally important archives the City owns, will be protected from risk of fire by OxyReduct which counts the British Library and Jaguar Land Rover as existing clients.

OxyReduct will be protecting the library’s internationally renowned archives, in 5 separate areas ranging in size from 200 m2 to 8,000 m2 as well as equipment in the plant room on the 8th floor.

OxyReduct creates an environment where fires cannot start, by continuously reducing the oxygen level in a closed room through adding nitrogen to the air. The oxygen is reduced to a level in which most combustibles do not inflame and an open fire is impossible. Importantly, people can enter and work in the protected area at any time. Unlike traditional fire protection technologies, OxyReduct ensures that the valuable archives will not be damaged by smoke or water/gas from extinguishing systems.