ALT Photograph of a room. A desk and chair with a scientific apparatus on it. A metal frame with a series of wires attached. A lamp to the left of it resting on the table. The wires are attached to devices and a large cylindrical device in the background by the wall. The photograph is dated 1898. Wooden panelling behind the chair and table. A large wooden cabinet with glass panels on the far left of the photograph.

ALT Alt text: Promotional poster for an Ageing Well event in Birmingham. The event takes place on Tuesday 6 October 2026 from 11am to 2pm at The Wellbeing Zone, Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square. The poster highlights advice and information on staying sharp, staying strong, planning ahead and staying connected, with the message: “Live Well. Age Well. Birmingham. Helping you stay independent, active and connected.”

ALT Photograph of a room - two windows on either side of an alcove with a microphoned minbar (pulpit) inside it. A bookcase up on the left side of the wall by the alcove and an order of service on the right with the words Masjid Quba at the top. The foreground is dominated by a carpet.

ALT Photograph of archival presses with shelves occupied by archival boxes – fluorescent lighting above the shelves. Notes below this on both presses.

ALT A map - a grid plan of the streets and roads named in the title. The outline of numbered building plots colour coded. A block of land and property in the bottom right of the map identified as Laurel Cottage. The names of landowners in the top centre of the map.

ALT A book resting on a cushion - front cover facing on. Title of the book is Tracing your ancestors using newspapers : a guide for family historians. The title and subtitle separated by the masthead - Telegraph. Beneath are two photographic inserts - headshots of females. Also inserts of newspaper articles. The author’s name in the bottom right corner.

ALT Illustration of a street scene, possibly the Regency period. Text at the top of the illustration indicates this is a trade card for William Rogers – fancy haberdasher and family linen draper. The illustration shows a row of properties with a large, impressive building at the end of the row on the corner with another thoroughfare. A crowded street scene in front of the buildings in the left foreground of the illustration – pedestrians gathered and people on horseback.

ALT A narrow passageway with buildings on either side. Above is an ornate iron sign - Ye Olde Royal Restaurant. Flourishes above each part of the sign with a crown on the very top of the sign. People on either side of the passageway with a van at the very end as the passage joins a road. A large building in the background outside of the passageway.

ALT An advertisement. Title at the top is Town Hall, Birmingham. Female American Serenaders. Beneath this is an illustration of seven female figures gathered round in a circle, each is holding or playing a musical instrument. Beneath this, a list of their names. Below this, details of the time and location for the performance at Birmingham Town Hall.

ALT A newspaper article. Headline is A Backward Glance at 45 Years in the Rep Evolution by Linda Millington. Text below regarding Kate Freeman’s retirement. Beneath this is a headshot of a female wearing glasses.

ALT A cartouche like illustration at the top of the page showing two male figures carrying a barrel by use of a rod. Their attire is typical of that of the eighteenth century - large tricorn hats, doublet and hose. Title beneath the illustration is Birmingham Ale. Below this, seven verses of a song. At the bottom, details of the printers - S. Taylor of Moor Street.

ALT A map of Birmingham city centre. A collection of named thoroughfares crisscrossing one another - some of the streets have shading around them. Features such as churches and schools identified on the map. A shaded area in the centre with text - L & NW Railway Station above it. Text inside the bulk of the shaded area regards - Proposed Extension of Footbridge. A scale of measurement in the bottom right of the map. A compass lilting at an angle in the bottom left along with text which reads - Copyright Entered Stationers Hall.

ALT An austere brick building. Central building is Georgian - windows of equal symmetry. Corridors leading off from both sides of the central building to smaller structures which have chimneys and symmetrical sets of windows. Barren foreground with bare trees on both extremes of the photograph.

ALT A room with numerous tables in it. The tables are loaded with archival boxes, folders and bundles of paper. A set of lockers on the far right of the room. A doorway just to the left. A window on the far right of the photograph with metal and wooden cabinets in front. The window has a filigree on the outside. A pillar between the table and the lockers. Panelled ceiling lights.

ALT An illustrated advertisement. The word Archery repeated three times across the top of the page. The words Wholesale and Retail beneath this. Then a paragraph of description explaining the wares sold. Beneath this, numerous line drawings of figures engaged in sporting events including cricket, fishing and archery. Beneath this, another paragraph detailing the goods sold by Cheetham’s. Then details of the shop’s location on New Street.

ALT A newspaper article. Heading – Dr. Cavenagh gets university chair. Text on the left side of the article and an insert of a photograph of a female on the right.