Central Library not bursting at the seams
Loads of space in the new library of Birmingham, but what’s it for? wonders Alan Clawley.
Birmingham Central Library: The latest ‘last ditch’ attempt to save it
Alan Clawley claims that reports of the imminent destruction of John Madin’s library are way off the mark and that the campaign to save it goes on.
Birmingham gears up for MIPIM 2013
Leading businesses across Birmingham are joining forces once again to attend the world’s leading real estate show next year.
Saving Madin’s library?
The Planning Committee will be considering Argent’s Paradise Circus Planning Application on Thursday 20 December 2012.
The economics of regeneration
Alan Clawley writes: “We are not alone in being sceptical about the ability of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the RZ to rescue developments like Paradise Circus.”
Planning objections lodged over Paradise Circus
Birmingham’s Friends of the Central Library has submitted a formal objection to the Argent planning application for Paradise Circus.
Birmingham Library: Built in obsolescence
Alan Clawley takes issue with Birmingham City Council’s inability to find the wherewithal to carry out repairs in Birmingham’s Central Library.
More Birmingham Library memoirs: The economic case
Alan Clawley with a history lesson on Birmingham town planning and John Madin’s ’70s Birmingham Library
Bauhaus at the Barbican
Alan Clawley sees similarities in the celebrated Barbican in London and the seemingly doomed Central Library in Birmingham.
New use for Birmingham’s Central Library
Alan Clawley with the background story of Birmingham’s Central Library building, proposals for its retention and details of a new petition to save it.
Not dead yet, Paul – Saving Birmingham Library
Alan Clawley, on the warpath to save the John Madin designed library in Birmingham, is suspicious of the language being bandied about by journalists and politicians.
Heritage – Who knows best?
The current concerns as to whether Culture Minister Jeremy Hunt was influenced by those with a financial interest in the outcome of his decision on BSkyB reminds Alan Clawley of the arguments used by Friends of the Central Library to challenge the decision that Hunt made not to list the Central Library.
Capsule to Curate Library Opening Season
Local promoters Capsule have announced their involvement with the Library of Birmingham.
Birth of a Library
Alan Clawley brings us a potted history of John Madin’s Central Library in Birmingham.
Alan Clawley asks: “can money buy style?”
Birmingham University’s Bramall Music Building under the spotlight.
Spinning professionals
Alan Clawley is learning to manage the disappointments his dealings with Birmingham City Council engender.
Gambles – must do better
Alan Clawley has some questions for Birmingham’s Central Library Chief Officer, Brian Gambles
What paradise will be like
Alan Clawley has seen Paradise and would prefer it stayed lost.
BAFTA? Birmingham? Library? Games?
Birmingham City Council has announced the name of the game developer to collaborate on an innovative new gaming experience for the Library of Birmingham
A room with a view
Alan Clawley sees what he sees, but doesn’t necessarily like the view…..
A library is not just a building
Friends of the Central Library: “Save the building but we’re just as worried about what is happening to the service itself”, writes Alan Clawley.
Up The Forum
Alan Clawley questions the openness of The Forum and reminds us ‘public’ spaces are becoming hard to find.
Birmingham Library: Moving house
Alan Clawley writes on the problems of moving home – when related to libraries shifting location.
Cutbacks to Birmingham Central Library opening hours
Birmingham Central Library is to end its decades-long tradition of evening opening by introducing a 6pm weekday closing time, possibly as early as December.
Birmingham’s John Madin designed library: Demolishing arguments
Alan Clawley continues to rebut the critics of the Birmingham Central Library that architect John Madin designed.
Birmingham Central Library now listed
The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has included Birmingham Central Library in its 2012 Watch List
Birmingham Central Library – An open letter to Labour
Alan Clawley, in his capacity as secretary of the Friends of the Central Library has written to Birmingham’s Labour leader Sir Albert Bore
Rings of Aluminium
“But it is just possible that what impresses the public about the new library is simply that it is very expensive”, reckons Alan Clawley
Last Ever Show! Gothicana, Shakespeare Memorial Room
Theatre company Don’t Go Into The Cellar plan to give Birmingham Central Library’s Shakespeare Memorial Room a horrifyingly good send-off….
Enterprise Zone no help
The idea of giving business a helping hand to redevelop Paradise Circus by making it part of an ‘Enterprise Zone’ seems to have fallen flat, writes Alan Clawley