Ward End Library

Ward End Library was built in 1929 and serves one of the most disadvantaged areas of Birmingham.

It had a cellular structure with separate areas for reference, newspapers, adults etc making it a very inflexible building. The project was to improve the entrance and children's libary to make it more welcoming and inviting.

Following consultation with young people the designers, John Hunt Associates, removed some of the internal glazed screens to improve access and traffic flow, gave the area a retail style lighting scheme to make the areas visually more exciting, moved the enquiry desk closer to the entrance to ensure staff and product where the first things visitors saw on entering and improved public toilet provision.

The childrens library was entirely modernised creating a fresh, bright and stimulating environment for younger children. A new teenage area was created by the re-location of the librarians office and a retail style DVD facility was added to increase income generation. The response from children has been incredibly positive with the library seeing an increase in visits following the recent re-launch on 20 October 2007.

Awards

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