Balsall Heath Library

Balsall Heath Library is an Edwardian building of red brick and terracotta situated on Moseley Road, displaying traditional architectural features typical of late Victorian municipal construction. Inside, the building houses book collections for all ages, computer workstations, and spaces for rotating exhibitions.

The architect Jethro Anstice Cossins designed this building in 1895 as part of a comprehensive civic improvement project in the newly incorporated Balsall Heath district. The project was part of a broader effort to enhance public infrastructure in expanding Birmingham.

The library serves as a gathering place for the community, with sections for children's books and adult collections alongside rotating exhibitions featuring local art and interests. It functions as a space where people come together to learn, connect, and participate in neighborhood life.

The building is accessible throughout the week, with some days offering extended hours into the early evening, making it easy to visit after work or other activities. The facility includes computer workstations and various support services that visitors can ask about or access during their visit.

The building originally formed part of a rare architectural ensemble together with the adjacent municipal swimming baths, creating an integrated approach to public services in one location. This connected concept of combining two civic facilities side by side was notable for its time and reflects a holistic approach to urban improvement.

Location: Birmingham

Architects: Jethro Anstice Cossins

Architectural style: Edwardian architecture

Elevation above the sea: 129.3643 m

Address: Balsall Heath Library, Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12 9BX

Email: balsall.heath.library@birmingham.gov.uk

Website: http://libraryofbirmingham.com/1318249193575

GPS coordinates: 52.45750,-1.88581

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:51