Taliban shooting victim Malala Yousafzai opened Birmingham’s new library with a defiant message: pens and books are the greatest weapon against terrorism.
Thousands gathered on Tuesday to witness a new chapter in the city centre’s rich history, the queue snaking around Centenary Square.
The building has a 3,000 capacity – but that figure was surpassed many times over as the public were ushered through on a “one out, one in” basis.
They were eager to be among the first to witness the ten floors of books, archives, galleries, cafes and wonderful open spaces.
Words such as “mind-blowing” and “incredible” were uttered as Brummies took in the terraces, study areas, theatre, music and children’s libraries – and the stunning books rotunda.
Malala, the 16-year-old schoolgirl who made Birmingham her home after being shot in the head for daring to campaign for girls’ education in her native Pakistan, was given the daunting task of opening the £188 million facility.
She told those present: “Pens and books are the weapons that defeat terrorism.”
She added: “I truly believe the only way we can create global peace is through educating not only our minds, but our hearts and our souls.”
Government culture minister Ed Vaizey described the library as, “not only an ode to the book, but also an ode to the 21st century and digital technology and a sign of confidence for Birmingham, the UK’s youngest city and one of the most vibrant.”
Council deputy leader Ian Ward said the building has set a new template for 21st Century libraries.
“It has the power to transform people’s lives through knowledge and education and we have to make sure that it does.
“With this amazing building, we have a new image redefining Birmingham as a city of learning, knowledge and the future.”
Bishop of Birmingham, David Urquhart, described the library as a “breathtakingly wonderful setting for learning and city life”.
While the exterior of the building, likened to a pile of hat-boxes or inverted mattresses, has divided opinion, few can fail to be blown away by the bright interior with its sweeping escalators and staircases, the outside terraces and the building’s sheer scale.
Library director Brian Gambles said: “We wanted lots of natural light, we wanted it to be a nice place to study and provide a degree of inspiration.”
The study and reading areas, unlike gloomy Central Library, are on the outside of each floor, near windows where the natural light is greatest.
From the outset there had been a focus on new technology and the arts.
There are plenty of computer workstations, conference rooms, information screens, a cafe, performance and gallery spaces, including two outdoor terraces.
There’s also a 300-seat studio theatre, shared with the Birmingham Rep next door, where American civil rights campaigner Jesse Jackson will today speak.
At a time when many local authorities are closing libraries, Birmingham finds itself in the almost unique position of opening a new one – with state-of-the-art resources.
The real test will come from visitors and academics who put the library’s 170 staff and the all-singing, all-dancing computer and information systems to the test over the years ahead.
It's amazing. There is so much going on
Although plenty of VIPs were present, the day was about the people of Birmingham – and they came in their thousands.
One of the first through the doors was Wyn Farrell, from Sutton Coldfield, who thinks the library will be more than a place to borrow books.
“I have watched this grow over the years and could not wait to see inside.
"It is absolutely amazing, mind blowing. I can see people spending a day here, there is so much going on.”
Bal Braich-Bains, from Smethwick, brought her two daughters Bonneetta, aged nine, and three-year-old Bonneve for the ‘landmark occasion’.
“We were regulars at the old library, the children’s section, and were really excited about this. The facilities are first-rate and the building is simply amazing. Really inspirational.
“I have told Bonneetta that when she goes to university she could be studying here and will look back and remember the day it opened.
“The children cannot believe there are ten floors.”
Railway enthusiast John Dunn, a regular user of the old Central Library’s archives and research facilities, said: “The old library was pushed for capacity. I know that there is lots on the internet now, but you can’t beat having something on paper or in a book.
“I think this is money well spent, it is absolutely fantastic.”
A small group of protesters, while greeting the opening, called for the council to abandon plans to outsource the management of the library.
Godfrey Webster said: “We are concerned that there is a connection between this and community libraries and that those local libraries are not starved of funds.”
