{{Short description|Historic library building in Merseyside, England}} {{about|Birkenhead Central Library, England|Birkenhead Public Library, New Zealand|Birkenhead Public Library}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}} {{Use British English|date=May 2015}} {{Infobox library | name = Birkenhead Central Library | logo = | image = Birkenhead Central Library 2018.jpg | caption = Front Entrance, Borough Road | coordinates = {{coord|53.386|N|3.032|W|display=inline}} | location = Birkenhead, England | established = 1856 (original site)<ref name="visitwirral-1"/><br/> 1934 (current site)<ref name="visitwirral-1"/> | num_branches = | collection_size = over 600,000 books<ref name="visitwirral-1"/> | annual_circulation = | pop_served = 311,200 | budget = | director = | Minister = | num_employees = | website = [https://www.wirral.gov.uk/libraries-and-archives/find-library/birkenhead-central-library] Birkenhead Central Library, Wirral Council }}
'''Birkenhead Central Library'''<ref name="wirral-libraries-1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wirral-libraries.net/ourlibraries/birkenhead-central|title=Birkenhead Central|publisher=Wirral Libraries|date=2010|accessdate=2011-03-20}}</ref> is one of twenty-four libraries (as of March 2011) forming the Wirral Library Service in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, Merseyside, England.<ref name="wirral-libraries-2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wirral-libraries.net|title=Wirral Libraries|publisher=Wirral Libraries|date=2010|accessdate=2011-03-20}}</ref> The library is located on Borough Road, Birkenhead.<ref name="wirral-libraries-1"/>
==History== The original Birkenhead Central Library was opened in 1856 in a different part of Birkenhead from the present-day site. At the time, it was the first public library in the country in an unincorporated borough. The current central library building on Borough Road was opened in 1934 by King George V and is designated by Wirral Council as a historic site.<ref name="visitwirral-1">{{cite web|url=http://www.visitwirral.com/site/attractions-and-activities/birkenhead-central-library-p44389|title=Birkenhead Central Library|publisher=Wirral Council|date=2010|accessdate=2011-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002180542/http://www.visitwirral.com/site/attractions-and-activities/birkenhead-central-library-p44389|archive-date=2 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Services and activities== The library offers the traditional lending service for books including large print, foreign language titles, talking books and digital audio and video media, newspaper and magazine reading and local community information. There is also a dedicated children's library and a reference library on the upper floor containing extensive local archives. The library also offers exhibition/display facilities and room hire.<ref name="visitwirral-1"/>
Other activities include a monthly reading group, storytime for under fives, "baby bounce and rhyme" and Learn Direct computer courses, including ECDL and business courses.<ref name="wirral-libraries-1"/>
There is also a ''Friends of Birkenhead Central Library'' group which holds events on a regular basis.<ref name="wirral-libraries-1"/>
==Wilfred Owen memorial== At the top of the main stairwell is a stained glass memorial window to First World War poet Wilfred Owen.<ref name="wilfredowen-1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wilfredowen.org.uk/memorials/birkenhead|title=Birkenhead|publisher=The Wilfred Owen Association|date=2011|accessdate=2011-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807062218/http://www.wilfredowen.org.uk/memorials/birkenhead|archive-date=7 August 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Owen lived in Birkenhead in three homes, all within a mile of the library.<ref name="deanjohnsonmusic-1">{{cite web|url=http://www.deanjohnsonmusic.co.uk/bullets.html|title=Bullets & Daffodils THE WILFRED OWEN STORY|publisher=www.deanjohnsonmusic.co.uk|accessdate=2011-03-20|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217040026/http://www.deanjohnsonmusic.co.uk/bullets.html|archivedate=17 February 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The memorial window was designed by David Hillhouse, and was created and made by Bill (William) Davies at his Millers Hay studios in Irby. It was unveiled in 1995 by Peter Owen, the nephew of Wilfred Owen.<ref name="wilfredowen-1"/>
==Threat of closure== In 2008 it was announced that there were council plans to close the current site as part of a strategic review. The plans included consolidating library services into newer buildings alongside existing leisure facilities at the Europa Pools complex, on the other side of the town centre.<ref name="wirralnews-1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/wirral-news/local-wirral-news/2008/11/26/birkenhead-central-library-faces-closure-in-huge-wirral-council-spending-review-80491-22335339/ |title=Birkenhead Central Library faces closure in huge Wirral Council spending review |publisher=Birkenhead News |first=Matt |last=Hurst |date=2008-11-26 |accessdate=2011-03-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701101032/http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/wirral-news/local-wirral-news/2008/11/26/birkenhead-central-library-faces-closure-in-huge-wirral-council-spending-review-80491-22335339/ |archivedate=1 July 2013 }}</ref> As of February 2023, these plans have not come to fruition and the Birkenhead Central Library remains situated in the 1934 building on Borough Road.
==References== {{Reflist|30em}} {{Authority control}} Category:Library buildings completed in 1934 Category:Public libraries in Merseyside Category:Buildings and structures in Birkenhead Category:1934 establishments in England