The Public Library
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, COLLEGE ROAD
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1109946
- Date first listed:
- 29-Jun-1998
- List Entry Name:
- The Public Library
- Statutory Address:
- THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, COLLEGE ROAD
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2002-09-29
- Reference:
- IOE01/05596/22
- Rights:
- © Mr J J Sheridan. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1109946
- Date first listed:
- 29-Jun-1998
- List Entry Name:
- The Public Library
- Statutory Address 1:
- THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, COLLEGE ROAD
- Statutory Address 2:
- THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, HAWTHORN ROAD
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, COLLEGE ROAD
- Statutory Address:
- THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, HAWTHORN ROAD
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Birmingham (Metropolitan Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- SP0850893086
Details
SP 09 SE
3/10204
BIRMINGHAM
COLLEGE ROAD
(north side), Perry Common
The Public Library
II
Includes: The Public Library, HAWTHORN ROAD Perry Common
Public Library. 1934 by J P Osbourne for Birmingham City Council. Red brick on steel frame. Fan-shaped plan on corner site, mainly of one storey with raised central area over issue desk, but with second storey to front and sides not visible externally. Roof not seen. Concave front to corner with central, original timber outer doors with bronze knockers in fluted stone surround under round brick arch and keystone. The tympanum has stone reliefs of the lamp of knowledge flanked by books. Splayed side walls with seven small paned windows under gauged brick heads with keystone. The interior survives remarkably completely. Octagonal entrance hall with cream and green tiles, and art deco style ceiling with concealed lighting trough. Terrazzo floor under carpet. Original metal windows and timber doors lead in and out of the main lending library. 1934 issue desk, whence are sightlines round the fan-shaped library space, with original bookstacks placed radially and against walls. Lower wing has children's library with original bookcases; the opposite wing was formerly the reading room and is now the community room, with panelling. Simple but stylised timber stair leads to staff areas on first floor. Single-storey staff range at rear has curved corridor with green tiled walls. Included as a deceptively elaborate and complete example of a 1930s' public library. The art deco entrance hall and number of surviving original fittings are most unusual.
Listing NGR: SP0850893086
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 469443
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 25-Jun-2026 at 06:02:13.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.