This is a behind the scenes account of my ongoing experience working in Archives & Collections. If you think it’s an easy option, please read on….
Since May 2023 I have had the amazing opportunity to work in Archives & Collections at the Library of Birmingham. It is a privilege to work in the Library of Birmingham as it is the largest regional library in Europe. Visitors to the library come from all over the world. It has one of the largest Shakespeare collections in the world. The library’s archive and printed resources enrich our understanding of the present through an appreciation of the past. They connect us to our families, our homes and the places we live and work.
I have always had a genuine interest in history and remain enthusiastic about my home city of Birmingham which has a rich and diverse heritage. The placement is interesting, but it is also quite challenging as it is on a once-a-week basis as I also work in several Birmingham community libraries.
The training has included:
- An introduction to the many different resources housed in the Heritage Research Area.
- Ongoing engagement with these resources to help develop knowledge, familiarisation and confidence,
- Shadowing the enquiry desk to get a feel of operations and the many different types of enquiries.
- More recently, to further reinforce and to enable an increased understanding, I’ve been set questions about the various types of enquiries received in Archives & Collections.
- Accompanying staff when retrieving materials from the archival stores as part of a client’s research.
- Training on how to load microfilm and microfiche so visitors can view resources such as historic Birmingham newspapers.
- Replacing and tidying materials.
- Conservation work – boxing materials for long term conservation in our archival stores.
I have received a great welcome and continuing encouragement from the team. They have an immense knowledge of resources and they are extremely committed and enthusiastic about all aspects of the service. This is very evident when they are assisting visitors with their queries. Behind the scenes there is much work ongoing – including the accessioning of documents in the work room. This room is a quiet a hive of activity.
Archives & Collections Resources
Archives & Collections has an international collection of archives, photographs and rare books. The department is committed to making unique and precious collections accessible to everyone. These resources are mainly related to historical information about Birmingham – but there are also resources about other area of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Europe and the world. If you are interested in learning more about your Birmingham family and/or local history, Archives & Collections has a large selection of historical and contemporary materials which are free to look at.
These include :
- A wide variety of books about the history of Birmingham
- Census records
- Births, Marriages, Deaths
- Photographs
- Parish Registers
- Electoral registers
- Trade Directories
- Telephone Directories and Yellow Pages
- Historical Town Plans
- Military Genealogy books
- Newspapers and News cuttings Collection
- Maps – please do visit the beautiful Map Room which has an extensive collection of Birmingham maps both historical and contemporary.
Resources which are more delicate can be viewed by appointment in the Wolfson Centre for Archival Research which is the Reading Room at the Library of Birmingham. All appointments and item requests need to be booked in advance. Visitors to the Wolfson Centre are required to bring identification with them. To find out what the archives hold, please look at our online archival catalogue. If you cannot find what you are looking for, you can always email the team at archives.heritage@birmingham.gov.uk.
In conclusion, I hope this gives you some insight into the many aspects of Archives & Collections and all that there is to learn. I very much hope to continue working with the team.
When you are next in Birmingham city centre, I strongly recommend visiting the Library of Birmingham, taking the time to explore all the floors, the Shakespeare Memorial Room, the Garden Terraces – and you will be made very welcome in Archives & Collections on the fourth floor.
The Iron Room 