The Library of Birmingham holds one of the national collections of photography: the only such collection held outside a national museum, library or archive and the only one of such significance held in a public reference library in the UK.The collection comprises some 3.5 million items ranging from daguerreotypes made at the dawn of the photographic era to modern digital prints made by leading contemporary photographers. Its also includes a vast collection of photographic albums, books and albums illustrated with original photographic prints and a considerable collection of literature associated with photography. Together these archives and related reference materials have made the existing Library a focal point for students, photographers and researchers working at every level of study and have attracted local, national and international visitors to the city. Over the last 20 years the Library has been developing these resources into a major cultural asset for the city and the region. This work has included exhibition, publication, research, commission, outreach and acquisition projects undertaken with an increasing diverse range of private and public sector organisations. The new £188.8 million Library, which opens to the public on Tuesday 3rd September 2013, will be a centre of activity for seeing, studying and the exchange of knowledge about historical and contemporary photography which supports the implementation of new ideas, connecting the creative industries, business and knowledge researchers. Photography will be one of the most important offers within the new LoB and it will develop a range of activities our activities in the context of the innovative and ambitious programming for the new building.

You can find out more about the collections on the LoB website www.libraryofbirmingham.com