Photographic and other Special Collections in Central Library

Important Notice - Floors 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Birmingham Central Library are now permanently closed to allow preparation of the collections for the move to the Library of Birmingham.

These collections will be available again in autumn 2013 when the Library of Birmingham opens. In the meantime, you can see digital images from the collections on the new website at www.libraryofbirmingham.com/collections.

Collections in Birmingham Central Library have been designated as outstanding collections by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

Birmingham Central Library also holds one of the National Collections of Photography.

This includes prints, negatives, lantern slides, books illustrated with original photographic prints and photo-mechanical reproductions, photographic books and periodicals, and non-photographic literature. The collections are not housed as single corporate body of material, but are arranged by subject in six subject information departments.

Your Icons - A website sponsored by the Museums Libraries and Archives (MLA) West Midlands where you can explore the ten West Midlands collections designated of national importance.

Archives and Heritage Service

Birmingham Corporation and City Council Collection

Birmingham Improvement Scheme Collection

Birmingham Wartime Photographs

British and Foreign Topographic Collections

Buffalo Bill Collection

Ernest Dyche Collection

Francis Bedford Collection

Francis Frith Collection

Harold Baker Collection

Birmingham Industrial Exhibition (1886) Collection

Lantern Slides Collection

Photographic Album Collection

Photographic Portrait Collection

Sir Benjamin Stone Collection

Victoria Law Courts Collection

Warwickshire Photographic Survey

William Jerome Harrison Collection

William Smedley Aston Collection

Bellis & Morcom Collection

Bernard Moore Archive

Birmingham and Five Counties Architectural Association Collection

Birmingham Photographic Society Archive

Birmingham Photographic Society Permanent Collection

Boulton & Watt Collection

Bournville Village Trust Archive

BSA Archive

Cadbury Archive

Helen Caddick Archive

Metro-Cammell Archive

Midland Counties Photographic Federation

Pogus Caesar/OOM Gallery Archive

The Vanley Burke Archive

Social Sciences

The Railway Collection

Science Library

Patents Library (Historical)

Arts, Language and Literature

Barry Jackson & Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Early and Fine Printing Collection

Henry Southwell Eades Collection

Shakespeare Collection

Willoughby Gullachsen Collection

Birmingham Archives and Heritage Service
Glossary of Photographic Terms
Digital Birmingham Photo Archive
Digital Handsworth Project
Science Library