Library Catalogue
COLLECTIONS
What Makes the Shakespeare Library Special
The Birmingham Shakespeare Collection offers access to more than 44,000 books as well as magazines and DVDs. You will also find many treasures including photos, posters, theatre programmes, scrapbooks, illustrations as well a copy of the first folio printed in 1623.
Read more about what makes the Shakespeare Library special.
The Idealism and Belief Gallery
Founded in 1864, The Birmingham Shakespeare Library was created in an era of great civic pride. Shakespeare was the cornerstone of English Literature, festivals, birthday celebrations, pageants and clubs were held in his honour.Highly Valued Treasures and Exceptional Illustrated Books
The collection features many treasures including the unique Forrest Collection, Turner, Pearson, and Bennett Collections as well as a copy of the First Folio printed in 1623.The Shakespeare Theatrical Gallery
The comprehensive collection of Shakespeare’s production, both amateur and professional contains over 6,000 photographs, 10,000 programmes, 15,000 playbills and an enormous collection of newspaper cuttings.Foreign Shakespeare
The Birmingham Shakespeare Library is Britain’s most important Shakespeare collection, and one of the two most important Shakespeare collections in the world.Shakespeare Memorial Room
Created and designed to house the Shakespeare Memorial Library by John Henry Chamberlain in 1882, a founder member of Our Shakespeare Club.Bringing in the May
Discover more about unique May customs and traditions
