The First Book

I was very pleased to see that the first book to be placed on the shelves of the new Library of Birmingham will be The Hobbit. A symbolic act, but one that will be much appreciated by all those who feel that JRR Tolkien’s very close relationship with Birmingham is not sufficiently recognised. For more details on the book shelving see Theonering.net website at Theonering.net

Whatever your opinion of the appearance of the new Library it is a significant development in these threadbare times. I suspect that those who like the appearance of Selfridges will also like the look of the Library of Birmingham that will open to the public on September 3rd. And it has to be better than the ugly and dysfunctional monstrosity that it replaces.
Way back on this blog I noted that in the United States the City of Boston’s Civic Centre is a ‘brutalist’ construct of the same ilk (they too are trying to get rid of this). Recently some Canadian friends visiting from Alberta mentioned that Edmonton is also saddled with a building of this design – if ‘design’ it can be said to be. The 60’s and 70’s have a lot to answer for in terms of the aesthetic character of our towns and cities and the destruction of architectural heritage. So what we are seeing is genuine progress.
I hope that this sense of change for the better will also see Tolkien’s legacy better recognised here at home and not leave it all to New Zealand! Meanwhile, this year’s volunteer-led Middle-earth Weekend at Sarehole Mill approaches. This unique event to be held on May 11th and 12th should again be really special and for more information visit the MEWE website at The Middle-earth Weekend