Birmingham Reference Library with the civic fountain the foreground, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham

NOTES: This library was designed by Martin & Chamberlain and opened in 1882, replacing the earlier library of 1865 designed by John Chamberlain which was destroyed by fire in 1879. The building was demolished in 1974 after a long campaign to preserve it. The civic fountain was erected in 1880 by public subscription in gratitude for Joseph Chamberlain's time as mayor (1873-1876). It was designed by John Chamberlain of Martin & Chamberlain and executed by the sculptor Samuel Barfield.