LIBRARY BOSS - "WE'RE COOKING THE CITY'S HERITAGE"

20-11-2007

The head of Birmingham's Libraries has warned that the city's archives are being "cooked" because the current storage system isn't up to date. But although Brian Gambles argues passionately for a new building, he admits the current library could be updated if necessary.

The great thing about Gambles is that he isn't a politician. As he takes us on a guided tour of John Madin's controversial 1973 classic/carbuncle, it's clear he simply wants the best available facilities for readers, researchers and other visitors.

That means a new library in Centenary Square shared with The Rep is, in his eyes, a rather better option than the current poorly maintained site in Paradise Circus.

Gambles points to the archives, which lack the humidity and temperature controls needed to keep old books in tip top condition. Given that there's an original Shakespeare Folio among the collection - worth at least £5million - this can't be glossed over.

"What we're doing here is cooking the city's heritage. The paper becomes brittle because it's too dry and we don't have the systems to control that."

The National Archive has warned Birmingham the current situation is unsatisfactory, and that they could - in theory at least - force the city to hand over all its ancient treasures.

Equally serious is the state of the escalators leading to the lending section. For some reason, these were built to an unusually narrow specification, and after being repaired in 2000, they are out of warranty in two years time.

Maintaining them is becoming increasingly expensive, while a full replacement programme is problematic since it would mean disturbing the underlying asbestos.

"It's the accumulation of things, and things multiply," Gambles explains.

"If we take out the channels, the resulting impact asbestos could mean we'll possibly close the library and empty it of all its physical contents. Where am I going to put it? And how much will it cost?

"The answer to the first question is 'I don't know'. And the answer to the second one could be £3-4 million a year on the worst case scenario."

These are typical of the difficulties of looking after a building which is still structurally sound, but has problems of wear and tear. There are other issues too, including "concrete cancer" and a leaking roof.

For Gambles the opportunity of sharing a foyer with the Rep and combining educational opportunities with the theatre is simply too good to miss.

He doesn't think the idea of a lending and reference library is outdated, but has passed its peak of popularity.

Now the library has become a "learning centre" where students meet to work in groups instead of sitting in quiet solitude; and where other visitors want internet access, or to learn how to draft a CV.

Then there are the staff to think about.

One worker spent an anxious six months waiting to find out if she had HIV after treading on a syringe used by one of the rough sleepers who congregate in the outer precincts of the library - still unfinished after more than 30 years.

Yet for all his enthusiasm, Gambles concedes that none of the activities of the new building couldn't be managed in the existing one.

A state of the art archive centre, could be built next to the current site for example, and the building is already flexible enough to accommodate many - if not quite all - of the changing the needs of the 21st Century.

Birmingham Council's Chief Executive Stephen Hughes argues that the real price difference between maintaining the old and creating the new is only £4.5 million (see link here)

If that's the case, the real question is whether you like John Madin's controversial 1973 building enough to demand that it be saved; or whether you think it's so ugly needs to be destroyed.

Gambles verdict: "The reality is that if somebody said we've got to mend and make do we'd carry on doing a good job. It just wouldn't be quite as good a job as we could do."

(To see architect John Madin talking about his original dream for the library on Stirrer TV, click here)

See photo's here

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