Find out more about Reference Works - four leading photographers will make visual responses to the current Central Library building and to the build, transition and relocation to the new Library of Birmingham.

Blog: tReviews & Writing Tips!

Posted by Khadijah 18 April 2013

Posted in: Reading , Young People

A trio of reviews (hence tReviews!) from our teen blogger - this month, anthropomorphic animals and a spy classic, plus some tips on creating a character.

Blog: The Diary of Samuel Pepys (aged 13 and three quarters)

Posted by Dr Chris Upton 01 April 2013

Posted in: Archives and heritage , Family History

During preparations for the move to the Library of Birmingham, an exciting discovery has been made in Birmingham Archives & Heritage. It is a 17th-century manuscript, which is headed: The Diary of Samuel Pepys (aged 13 and three quar

Blog: Independent Foreign Fiction Prize shadowing - The Detour with cake!

Posted by Nicky P 02 May 2013

Posted in: Reading

Another view of The Detour and looking forward to our tour of London.

Blog: A family story set in Birmingham and magical tale set in Alaska

Posted by Mobile Library Reading Group 05 April 2013

Posted in: Reading

3 different takes on books the Mobile Reading Group have enjoyed this year!

Blog: The Body in the Library - the Dagger Longlist is announced!

Posted by Sue Wilkinson 21 March 2013

Posted in: Reading

A crime fiction blog from our resident crime fiction expert - this month the Crime Writers’ Association Dagger in the Library Award longlist is announced!

Blog: The Pretty Constant Reader - from the Amazon to small town Scotland.

Posted by Jen Bakewell 25 April 2013

Posted in: Reading

A journey into the Amazon, a return to small town Scotland and the 'dark triad' of personality - find out what our book blogger has been reading this month!

Blog: Welcome to Library Services at Home Reading Chain!

Posted by Library Services at Home 05 April 2013

Posted in: Reading

Three books reviewed and rated by Library Services at Home readers.

Jackie bookgifting for World Book Night 2013

Blog: Bookgiving on World Book Night 2013

Posted by Nicky P 23 April 2013

Posted in: Reading

Nicky blogs about Bookgiving on World Book Night 2013

Blog: Independent Foreign Fiction Prize shadowing - our books have arrived!

Posted by Nicky P 18 April 2013

Posted in: Reading

'If I never read another book, I'm so glad I read this one.' The first verdict on our IFFP books from Nikki and the Mobile Library Bookgroup.

Blog: Do you ever feel maybe you should keep your mouth shut?

Posted by Nicky P 18 April 2013

Posted in: Reading

Nicky blogs about shadowing the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize

Blog: Welcome to the Mobile Library Reading Group!

Posted by Mobile Library Reading Group 05 April 2013

Posted in: Reading

Find out about 3 of the books the Mobile Reading Group have enjoyed this year!

Blog: We love these books! - West Heath Teenage Reading Group

Posted by West Heath TRG 21 March 2013

Posted in: Reading , Young People

West Heath Teenage Reading Group talk about the books they love!

Blog: The Body in the Library - from the Granite City

Posted by Sue Wilkinson 21 March 2013

Posted in: Reading

A crime fiction blog from our resident crime fiction expert - this month she's in the Granite City!

Book covers for Druids Heath Teenage Reading Group review blog

Blog: Brave Books! - Druids Heath Teenage Reading Group

Posted by Vickie 21 March 2013

Posted in: Reading , Young People

Vickie test runs a trio of powerful stories for Druids Heath Teenage Reading Group

Blog: The Pretty Constant Reader - unreliable narrators and Betty Crocker cake mix

Posted by Jen Bakewell 21 March 2013

Posted in: Reading

An absurd spy novel, some unreliable narrators and Betty Crocker cake mix - find out what our book blogger has been reading this month!

Blog: Land Ahoy - for the Birmingham Poet Laureate

Posted by Stephen Morrison-Burke 20 March 2013

Posted in: Reading

After a manic couple of months, Stephen finally sees the light at the end of the Poet Laureate tunnel.

Blog: tReviews & Writing Tips!

Posted by Khadijah 16 March 2013

Posted in: Reading , Young People

A trio of reviews (hence tReviews!) from our teen blogger - this month, a historical hero and a hilarious love-crisis, plus some tips on starting a story.

Birmingham’s Kennedy Memorial in the 1980s

Blog: Saint Patrick would approve: Birmingham’s Kennedy Memorial

Posted by Jim Ranahan 18 March 2013

Posted in: Archives and heritage

The Kennedy Memorial has a special place in the hearts of Birmingham Irish people. This year for the first time, the famous Saint Patrick's Day parade will pass this landmark in its new home in Digbeth.

Cherie researching the life of Mildred Berkeley

Blog: Mrs. Mildred Berkeley - collector of children's books

Posted by Cherie Gladstone 11 January 2013

Posted in: Learning

The Parker's friend and avid early children's book collector comes under the spotlight

Cherie researchs the history of the Parker Collection

Blog: The Magnificent Tangye Brothers of Cornwall Works, Smethwick - collectors.

Posted by Cherie Gladstone 11 January 2013

Posted in: Learning

Cherie discovers links between the Tangye Brothers, Boulton and Watt.

Blog: 27 February - Poetry at Aston Manor Academy

Posted by Claire Guest 11 October 2012

Posted in: Young People

Today I was at Aston Manor Academy, doing a workshop with a group of Y7 and 8s.

Blog: tReviews & Writing Tips!

Posted by Khadijah 18 January 2013

Posted in: Reading , Young People

A trio of reviews (hence tReviews!) from our teen blogger - this month, a disappointing sequel and a surprising tear-jerker.

Protecting the collections in made-to-measure acid-free boxes

Blog: Preparations for the move to the new Library of Birmingham

Posted by Sarah Pymer 07 February 2013

Posted in: Library of Birmingham

Some of our customers have asked why we need to close for the better part of a year just to move some boxes of papers.

Blog: 12 April - Poetry by Heart

Posted by Claire Guest 11 October 2012

Posted in: Young People

Today I was at Solihull Arts Complex to judge the area heats of the Poetry by Heart competition.

Blog: 11 and 12 May - Middle Earth

Posted by Claire Guest 11 October 2012

Posted in: Young People

This weekend I performed at Middle Earth Festival with Birmingham Poet Laureate Stephen Morrison-Burke.

Holocaust Memorial Day 2013 - Communities Together - Build a Bridge

Blog: 27 January - Holocaust Memorial Day

Posted by Claire Guest 11 October 2012

Posted in: Young People

Today, I was at the Town Hall in Birmingham to take part in the Holocaust Memorial Day service, reading a poem I had written for it.

Blog: January 2013 - Christmas Poetry

Posted by Claire Guest 11 October 2012

Posted in: Young People

In the run up to Christmas, I was asked to write a poem for the school Christmas carol concert.

Blog: The Body in the Library

Posted by Sue Wilkinson 18 January 2013

Posted in: Reading

A crime fiction blog from our resident crime fiction expert - and judge on the Crime Writers’ Association Dagger in the Library Award!

Blog: The Pretty Constant Reader

Posted by Jen Bakewell 18 January 2013

Posted in: Reading

Zombies, memoir and clockwork bees - find out what our book blogger has been reading this month!

Puff-Puff, About a Baby Puffy-Train (1899)

Blog: Alice Tangye - The Artist

Posted by Cherie Gladstone 11 January 2013

Posted in: Learning

Next stop is The Birmingham School of Art Archives

Blog: Online Family History & Heritage Resources

Posted by Paul Taylor 08 January 2013

Posted in: Archives and heritage

Do you ever feel bamboozled by just what is out there in the great big bloggersphere to assist with family history research?

Blog: From Cornwall to Birmingham, via Bewdley and Bristol

Posted by Cherie Gladstone 03 January 2013

Posted in: Family History , Learning

Investigations discover links between the Parkers and the industrious Tangye family

Blog: The Mystery Begins

Posted by Cherie Gladstone 03 January 2013

Posted in: Children , Family History , Information Services

Investigating the Parker family and how their precious collection of children's books and games came to Birmingham

Blog: The Warwickshire Photographic Survey project update

Posted by Mike Hunkin 31 December 2012

Posted in: Archives and heritage

The Warwickshire Photographic Survey project is now into its third year since work began in November 2010 and continues to make good progress.

Blog: Rude Rabbits

Posted by Bob the Redstart 20 December 2012

Posted in: Children , Young People

Bob urges you to flock to the children's library

Blog: The Early Bird Catches The Pretzel

Posted by Bob the Redstart 20 December 2012

Posted in: Children

Find out what's been ruffling Bob's feathers this week

Blog: Steady Sailing

Posted by Stephen Morrison-Burke 10 December 2012

Posted in: Reading

No rest for the wicked! Stephen reflects on a busy schedule of guest appearances and poetry performances across the country.

Blog: 28 November - Poetry Workshop at Broadway School

Posted by Claire Guest 11 October 2012

Posted in: Young People

I was so excited to run my first poetry workshop today.

Blog: 22 November - Poetry Slam

Posted by Claire Guest 11 October 2012

Posted in: Young People

Today I was at the library theatre in Birmingham to judge the school's anti-bullying poetry slam. This was the first poetry slam I’ve ever been to, so though I was very excited.

Blog: 11 November - Remembrance Sunday

Posted by Claire Guest 11 October 2012

Posted in: Young People

I was invited by the Lord Mayor to attend the memorial service in Centenary Square.

Blog: 10 November - Children in Need

Posted by Claire Guest 11 October 2012

Posted in: Young People

With Children in Need coming up on the 16th, my school has asked me to write a poem for it, and perform it in assemblies during the week leading up to it.

Blog: Aims of Positive Change

Posted by Stephen Morrison-Burke 02 November 2012

Posted in: Reading

Stephen's thoughts on becoming Birmingham Poet Laureate 2012/2013

Blog: 22 October - Trip to Peter's booksellers

Posted by Claire Guest 11 October 2012

Posted in: Young People

Today I went to Peter's Booksellers to spend my £100 book vouchers.

Blog: About the Young Poet Laureate blog

Posted by Young Libraries 11 October 2012

Posted in: Young People

Each year our Young Poet Laureate keeps us up to date with all their activities through their online diary.

Claire Guest being presented with a gift voucher by Rachel Lindsay from Peters

Blog: 4 October - National Poetry Day

Posted by Claire Guest 11 October 2012

Posted in: Young People

I missed the afternoon of school (woo!) to go to Birmingham Central Library, where Adrian Goldberg from BBC WM announced me as the eighth Birmingham Young Poet Laureate.