The following document was found in the Library Archives. It is undated and un-signed but give a propective of the planning and design process for the nw Libray building in the 1970s/

New building to House Redditch's expanding public library service

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Background

The present building dates from 1885, when it was built as the  Redditch Literary and Scientific Institute's premises and included a small lending library for members.    At that time the population of Redditch was approximately eight thousand.

In 1956 it was extended to its present frontage.    In 1963 the Urban District Council recognised the fact that a new building was essential to meet the needs of the existing population and when it became known that Redditch was to be designated a new Town the Librarian was instructed to prepare a plan to meet the demands of the new population,    in 1969 the plans for the new building were accepted in principle. In 1973, the chronic space situation was alleviated slightly when the library was able to expand into part of the 1st floor premises vacated by the Art school.    The population is now at least 45,000 and growing fast,  By 2001 it was predicted it would reach 90.000 and even 100,000 before we are far into the 21st century.    So the need is clear.

Present services

Even from its present overcrowded premises, the library offers a comprehensive range of services to the people of Redditch, over and above the obvious basic book borrowing facilities (virtually any book available in any public library in the country can be obtained now,
but this is only one of the resources one should expect from a public library).  Already it provides gramophone records and tape cassettes, magazines,  newspapers, maps and music.  It also has a collection of local history materials in many forms, microfilm copies of the local newspaper, photographs, manuscripts; British Standards. Project collections are lent to local schools, a van service takes books to housebound old people, story hours and a Library club for children are provided but all these services are restricted because working space is unsuitable where it exists at all.    Many Redditch residents are not aware of the size or range of the stocks kept for them to use, because there is not the room to show them.  Many books have to be stored in a reserve stock and can only be traced by consulting the  library catalogue. 

The New building

In consultation with Roy Vann, Chief Amenities Officer and Brian Hart, Librarian, the architects have planned a new building which will be both exciting and practical, and which will enhance Redditch town  centre.  The architects, the John Madin Design Group, designed the new Birmingham Central Library; their new library for Redditch will, of course, be different, to meet the special needs of a different kind of community. builders T. Elvins and Sons have now started work on the site, and the first phase of the building should be ready to open in November 1975.

Design Considerations

The site is in Market Place, next to the Royal Hotel and opposite the Church in the centre of the town.  Adjacent to the market, two of its frontages face main pedestrian ways, thus affording the architects an opportunity to put into practice one of their main design principles, that the library building should be ‘self-advertising', leaving no doubt as to its function.    To this end, the whole of the Market Place front of the building at ground floor level will be of glass, and show windows are to be incorporated along the pedestrian way at the side, for the display of books and other materials.    It will therefore be obvious from the street that this is a public library - in fact part of the existing  pavement will be incorporated into a covered pavement arcade.    This is one of the ways in which another major design consideration, that of making the library inviting and easy to enter, has been achieved. With this aim in mind, the number of stairs between floors has been kept to an absolute minimum, and floor levels have been arranged so that, as one progresses through the building, each level is only just over three feet higher than the level before.  This means that only a few shallow steps have to be climbed between floors.    The needs of the disabled have been borne in mind throughout the planning process, a lift will be available  for those who cannot negotiate what stairs there are, and access from the pavement level to the popular lending library is by a ramp instead of stairs, to make it easier for everyone.

Floors throughout the public departments will be carpeted, except  for the heaviest traffic areas, which will have rubber flooring. This will reduce noise levels and eliminate the need for Silence, as will the deeply modelled ceiling construction, meant to be sound-absorbing.

The external appearance of the building will harmonise with the attractive older buildings nearby, being faced with mellow brickwork rather than concrete. 

Administrative re-organisation

From April 1974, the local library service will be administered by the new Hereford and Worcester County.   Redditch will then be  Divisional Headquarters for public libraries in an area including Bromsgrove, Rubery and Wythall, coordinating the work of the many branch and mobile libraries covering this area.

Departments (floor by floor)

Level 02 (Basement)

Workroom with punched-card sorting machine and photocopier.  Book-hoist to floors above, bookstore with sliding bookcases  to save space. Own private automatic telephone exchange.  Committee room - which will be available for use by local societies or committees for small meetings, and will also be used for staff training, and for small exhibitions.

Level 01 (Lower pavement level)

Lecture room with seating for 200.    This room will have a raised stage and a sloping floor, enabling it to be used as a small theatre, and will have a projection-room and cloakroom/booking office attached.   The entrance arrangements will enable this area to be used when the main library building is closed.

Level 0 (Pavement level)

The main entrance to the library will lead through an exhibition area where loan exhibitions will be put on show, and items from the library's own collection of local history material will be displayed.   

Level    1 (Popular Library)

Here will be counters for the issue and return of books, and the general information desk, where any public enquiries will be met.    This department will have the library's stock of novels of all kinds, (including Romances, Historical novels, Science fiction, Westerns, Detective stories and short stories) and most of the books available on subjects in great demand such as sports, pet keeping, motor repair, gardening, cooking, do-it-yourself, hobbies and holiday guides.    There will also be a "Young Adults" section, with books of particular appeal to teenagers, and a smoking/lounging area, with a hot drinks vending machine. A newspaper reading area and a display 01 current magazines will complete the picture in tnis, expected to be the busiest department of the library.

Level   2 (Music library and Children's library)

The music library will offer scores, records and tape cassettes  as well as books on musical theory and history, and listening  facilities will be available to library users.   On the same level will be the children's library, with provision for storybooks, informative books, picture books and 'steps in reading'  books for all levels of reading ability, There will also be a  homework and study area and an activities area for children. Between the music library and the children's library will be a small theatre suitable for children's plays and story hours or for recorded music recitals.

Level 3 (Administrative Area)

This level will house the essential administrative offices, screened to keep  the noise of typing and paper-pushing from disturbing the library users, who will be-pass the offices to reach the next level.

Levels 4 and 5 (Students' library)

This is the place for anyone to study anything.    The bulk of the books here will be available for loan, but with the home-reading books on each subject will be found the library's stock of related reference materials, so that the reader needs only to come to this one place to pursue his interest, whether he wants to refer to a book, at the study tables or in the sound proof cubicles provided, or to take some home with him.    Qualified and experienced library staff will always be on hand to help anyone to find their way about the collection or books, pamphlets,  illustrations, British Standards and Government publications. 

Level 6 (Local studies library)

This area will at last enable the library to display and house in  suitable conditions its extensive but largely unknown collection  of books, manuscripts, pamphlets, theses, microfilms, films, slides, maps and other records of local history and development, as well  as paintings, needle-cases, fishing-tackle specimens and local  photographs old and new.

Level 7

This level will house the rest room and kitchen facilities for the staff and also the caretakers flat.

The first phase of the building will not include the lecture room, music department, children's library, or the second floor of the main  library.  The children's library will be housed temporarily in the  Popular library and the music collection in the main library. The  Committee room will be used for special activities for children until the second phase is built.

Provision has been made for the reception of radio and television in the study carrels, lecture room and committee room in case these facilities may be required for students of the Open University or any other use.

A simple example of the improvements the new building will bring is illustrated by the fact that the existing reference library is able to seat six readers only, whereas the main library in the first phase will seat thirty four readers and further seating accommodation will be provided in the study carrels and the local history department.

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