the city centre campus of the university. The Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD), another faculty of BCU, is one of the largest faculties of art, design and media education in the United Kingdom. BIAD includes the Bournville Centre for Visual Arts, the Birmingham School of Art and the School of Jewellery (in the Jewellery Quarter), which highlights the importance of jewellery manufacture in the city. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire's School of Acting, founded in 1936, is one of the United Kingdom's leading vocational drama schools, offering higher education courses in drama as well as a range of part-time, summer schools and short courses for adults and children. Its merger with BCU was announced in June 2005. Elmhurst Ballet School is the oldest vocational dance school in the United Kingdom and offers dance training and academic education to pupils of secondary school age. The school was originally located in Camberley, Surrey but after becoming an associate school of the Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2002, it relocated to Edgbaston in Birmingham in 2004. Libraries The city council is also responsible for the provision of libraries throughout the city. There are 41 local libraries in addition to Library of Birmingham, reputedly one of the largest public libraries in Europe. According to city council figures, Birmingham's library system has over 2.7 million books and receives over 4 million visitors each year. See also Birmingham Statistical Society (19th century) List of schools in Birmingham External links BBC News - Funding and management of schools in England Birmingham City Council - Which school? Higher Education Funding Council for England - West Midlands Regional Profile Birmingham Institute of Art & Design Birmingham Adult Education Service Birmingham City Council - About Birmingham Libraries References