Erdington Library

MATERIALS: the building is of red brick with ashlar dressings and a slate and felt roof.

PLAN: of one and two storeys. The ground floor has an entrance lobby and separate, screened area which is now a children’s library. The rest of the ground floor area is now open plan, but traces of the former division into separate rooms can still be seen.

EXTERIOR: the south and west fronts are both symmetrical. The principal front, towards Orphanage Road has a central, projecting bay of ashlar. At its centre is a generous niche framing the doorway, which is flanked by banded Ionic pillars. These support an arched canopy with large, triple keystone, above which is a cartouche which bears the words ‘FREE / LIBRARY’ in relief, set against walling of banded rustication. At either side are four bays, grouped beneath a pedimental gable with Diocletian window. The lateral bays in each of these clusters are set slightly forward with banded, Ionic pilasters to either side of the windows. The windows have moulded stone surrounds with triple keystones to the central pair. The south front, has seven bays, similarly arranged with lateral, projecting bays and five windows to the centre with keystones, as before. Running around the both fronts is an entablature with deep cornice and balustrade. To far right of the south front is a recessed, blind bay, added in the later C20.

INTERIOR: although elements of the interior plan have been changed - most notably, some internal divisions and the issue desks - the building retains the essentials of its original plan, which is still legible, and has proved capable of adaptation without undue alteration to the essential structure. The central area has a panelled ceiling and top-lit space. Two Ionic columns with entasis stand centrally, at either side of the present issue desk. Skylights have been replaced at the end of the C20 and are now arched with metal frames. Original features include doors and door furniture, central heating radiators and fire hydrants, hopper windows and moulded window surrounds.