BIRMINGHAM LIBRARY SERVICES

Description

The film, television and radio reference collection in the Central Library is mainly held in the Arts Languages and Literature section of Birmingham Central Library and reflects over a hundred years of collecting. The present policy is to purchase material up to and including undergraduate level. The strengths of the collection include back files of journals including Radio Times and TV Times, The Listener, Sight and Sound, and the trade directory Kinematograph Yearbook. There is a small collection of classic films on video and DVD and some videos relating to arts and crafts. The extensive book collection mainly comprises standard histories, biographies and criticism. Internet and CD-ROM access is available. Also in the Arts Languages and Literature service area, the Birmingham Shakespeare Library contains the complete BBC TV Shakespeare series on video, most other published videos of Shakespeare’s plays and an extensive collection of BBC radio scripts and some ITV, BBC TV and film scripts. There are also some Shakespeare film and TV production photographs. The archives of Birmingham Repertory Theatre are also held in Arts Languages and Literature. They include photographs, prompt books, programmes and reviews. Material on the technical, sociological and economic aspects of cinema and broadcasting is shelved in the Science and Technology and Social Sciences service areas. The Local Studies service area holds extensive collections of film and video relating to local history and the Music Library has extensive loan collections of music, ballet and opera on video.

Website

http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/artslibrary

Keywords

Music; Birmingham; Ballet; Local history; Opera; Shakespeare, William

Access

Free access to all members of the public. Proof of identity required for some items; some items served under supervision.

Access for outsiders

Yes

Facilities

Video and tape cassette players available.

Charges

Photocopying, photographic, access and reproduction fees.

Moving Image, Audio and Related Documentation Holdings

Books

Arts Languages and Literature holdings: 2584 volumes.

Journals

16 current, 28 non-current, 11 annuals. 12 non-current annuals.

Catalogues

Card catalogue

1879-1971.

Main Contact

Name

Niki Rathbone

Department

Arts Languages and Literature

Telephone

0121 303 4511 or Arts Languages and Literature 0121 303 4227

Email

arts.library@birmingham.gov.uk

Address

Central Library
Chamberlain Square
Birmingham
B3 3HQ

Alternate Contact

Name

Local Studies and History

Telephone

0121 303 3459

Email

local-studies-library@birmingham.gov.uk