Usually accessible by appointment only, the Typographic Library at Winterbourne House (University of Birmingham) is now open to everyone on a bi-monthly basis for day-long pop-in sessions. Visitors can come and browse the books, journals, and printed ephemera in the archives and Dr Caroline Archer-Parré, Director of the Centre for Printing History & Culture, will be on hand to answer questions and guide visitors through the collection. The library is home to an excellent collection of books, journals, magazines, and type specimens and includes examples of printing from fine presses, schools of printing and much more. The collection covers the art, craft, science and technology of printing and also its social and cultural impact; subjects include the history of alphabets, bibliography, book trade, bookbinding, graphic design, graphic reproduction, handwriting, paper making, printing science, printing processes, typography, and trade unions. You don’t need to be a printing enthusiast to find something of interest on the shelves.

No appointment is needed, and entry is free. All are welcome – students, academic staff, practitioners, or the simply curious. The library will be open on the following dates:

Wednesday 22 May / 11:00-16:00

Wednesday 10 July / 11:00-16:00

Tuesday 10 September / 11:00-16:00

Tuesday 5 November / 11:00-16:00

The library is located on the top floor of Winterbourne House and is accessible by a lift.

If you have any questions, please contact Caroline Archer-Parré caroline.archer@bcu.ac.uk