Special Collections is currently housed in the University Main Library. The collections are available for consultation by all interested users, both staff and students of the University and members of the public, once they have registered with us. We also offer a range of introductory services for groups.
Special Collections has re-opened temporarily in the Main Library to allow access for researchers before our move to the Cadbury Research Library.
The Cadbury Research Library designed to be the new home for the University's Special Collections is now materially complete; including a 30 seat seminar room, state of the art Conservation Studio and research space for up to 45 people. It will provide a first class setting for researchers to engage with our unique and precious rare book, archive and manuscript collections including the Mingana Collection of Middle Eastern manuscripts which has recently received Designated Status as a collection of National and International Importance.
A key feature of the new facility is state of the art storage for our collections with significantly increased expansion space. The storage areas are currently undergoing a test and commissioning regime to ensure that they obtain the highest quality level of environmental controls required to meet the British Standard, that will make our Special Collections facility amongst the best in the country. This process is complex and detailed and work will continue until the quality level is achieved.
In order to maintain the service to researchers as this testing and commissioning continues we have opened the Special Collections service in time for the new academic year, on the date advertised (28 September), in its current location in the Main Library . This will be for a temporary period whilst we await the go ahead to complete the move process to the Cadbury Research Library. This is to avoid inconveniencing our users whilst we work to obtain the highest standards for our unique collections.
Please note that we are issuing new reader cards to all existing card holders. For information on what documentation you will need to supply on your visit to allow us to do this please check under Visitor Information.
If you have a question which is not answered on this site please contact us:
Email: special-collections@bham.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 121 414 5839
News and events
Keep up to date with current news and events in Special Collections.
