Historical background
Since the opening of the Âé¶¹¸ßÇå Public Reference Library in 1866, the Âé¶¹¸ßÇå Collection has become one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of its type in the country; its greatest strength lies in the wide variety of materials it contains from standard text books to theatre programmes, exhibition catalogues to DVDs.
The collection is an officially recognised repository of printed reference information materials held in the Archives and Collections section of the Library of Âé¶¹¸ßÇå. Many of its items are unique and rare and have specific association with the cultural and historic development of Âé¶¹¸ßÇå.
What constitutes as Âé¶¹¸ßÇå
The definition of what constitutes Âé¶¹¸ßÇå is based upon the geographical area currently administered by Âé¶¹¸ßÇå City Council although discrepancies occur with organisations such the West Midlands Police Force which has headquarters in Âé¶¹¸ßÇå but also administers policing for all of the West Midlands area.
Other factors to consider are the media and public perceptions of what constitutes Âé¶¹¸ßÇå which typically expands well outside of the current geographical boundaries.
Purpose
The Âé¶¹¸ßÇå Collection caters to the requirements of a wide and varied range of users:
- The uninformed reader, a novice making their first endeavours into local history research.
- The informed reader hoping to delve further into a specific area of research.
- Researchers and students.
- Occupational groups including Âé¶¹¸ßÇå City Council employees.
The Âé¶¹¸ßÇå Collection attempts to provide immediate and current information as well as more detailed historical data providing a reflection of the cultural, demographic, economic, historical, philosophical, political and social factors contributing to the fabric of the city.