12 Amazing Libraries: an exploration of libraries around the world

Every library that I enter, I love for one reason or another. Here is a list of 12 amazing libraries, some which I have had the pleasure of visiting, and some which I would love to see with my own eyes.

Trinity College Library - University of Dublin

 

I am so glad that I was able to visit this absolutely spectacular library during my holiday to Ireland in 2008. The building itself is awe-inspiring, the collection made me speechless and just walking through this incredible place felt like a dream. The Book of Kells is on display in the library and the tour that people can go on around the campus is very informative in regards to both the Book of Kells and the Library itself. This Library is a must for the European traveller.

Library of Congress - Washington, D.C.

 

This architectural wonder is effectively the national library of the United States and the oldest federal cultural institution in the US. The design of this incredible building leaves you speechless and I have no doubt that if I ever get to see it in person, it will be even more incredible.

 

 

Admont Abbey Library - Austria

The Admont Abbey in Austria is the largest monastic library in the world, it has a long-established scientific collection, and is known for its Baroque architecture and collections of art and manuscripts. The incredible interior design looks like a cross between a beautiful painting and the inside of a very fancy dollhouse. I would love to see this glorious place and lose myself in its collection.

 

 

Bibliotheca Alexandrina - Alexandria, Egypt

Constructed in memorium of the original Library of Alexandria, which was tragically destroyed in a great fire many years ago, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina celebrates knowledge and attempts to glorify the cultural significance of the once great library. The outside appearance of this incredible place is astonishing and the interior is just as glorious and if I were ever to travel to Egypt I would ensure that this was on my list of must-see locations.

 

 

Geisel Library, University of California, San Diego

This very distinctive building is the main library building on the University of California, San Diego campus and contains four of the campus libraries, (the Arts Library, the Mandeville Special Collections Library, the Science & Engineering Library and the Social Sciences & Humanities Library. The 'lantern' design rises 8 stories to a height of 33.5 m and is one of the most recognisable of the libraries from around the world. I would love to see this gorgeous building, if only to say that I have been there.

 

 

Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

 - New Haven, Connecticut

 

This incredible library is the largest building in the world reserved exclusively for the preservation of rare books and manuscripts. I can say very little about this location other than whenever I look at the pictures of it, I just want to be there. I think that is truly the best measure of a beautiful library.

 

 

Abbey Library of St. Gall - Switzerland

 

This library is truly spectacular and it makes me think that working there would be quite akin to being in a fairytale. The library collection is the oldest in Switzerland and is comprised of almost 160,000 volumes. The artistry in its construction is breathtaking and I would love to see it someday.

 

 

Angelica Library - Rome, Italy

 

This elegant library holds about 180 000 volumes of manuscripts and has been open to the public since 1609. The simplicity of its design sets it apart from some of the more elaborate libraries in this list but I believe it truly demonstrates the beauty of its collection and represents what a library is supposed to be.

 

 

Bristol Central Library - Bristol, U.K.

 

I hesitate to say any more than this of the Bristol Central Library: It looks like a freaking CASTLE! The incredibly beautiful architecture is the work of Charles Holden from 1906 and it presents a very empowering, yet intimidating figure in College Green. It appears that going there would feel like going back in time but, as with all libraries, it is a doorway to every time ever experienced, and some yet to come.

 

 

Taipei Public Library - Beitou Branch

 

The first and most obvious point of the Beitou Library is its absolute immersion in nature. The library is renowned for being constructed to be an eco-friendly green building and is thus not only good for your body and your mind, but also good for the environment around us. Being eco-friendly is a very suitable thing for libraries to lean towards and I am always proud of the industry when I discover another library which has taken the environment into consideration. A plus for this library is that they were able to do so while also making an incredibly beautiful building.

 

 

Old Market Library - Min Buri, Bangkok

 

Another beautiful library which challenges the 'norm' of what a library is or must be, this little library is the renovation of the old market space, which was burned down by a fire and left empty for almost 11 years. The community atmosphere surrounding this project library is strong and the library offers a quiet space where people can relax, read, converse and enjoy a world of culture in comfort and acceptance. It is libraries like this one, which challenge the library 'norm' which are bringing libraries into the 21st century.

 

 

Mitchell Library - Sydney, Australia

 

And finally, another which I have had the pleasure of visiting. Situated as part of the State Library of NSW, Australia, the Mitchell library houses the collection donated by David Scott Mitchell along with many newly added resources acquired over the past hundred or so years. This well-lit reading room is an aspiring librarian's dream, with three levels of bookcases surrounding the room, an extensive card catalogue and, in general, absolute silence. The place has a feeling of awe about it and serves to strengthen my wish to be involved in this amazing industry as soon as possible.

 

I hope you have enjoyed this exploration of the amazing libraries from around our incredible world. if you haven't in a while, perhaps you should pop down to your local library and see what makes it unique. You never know, another beautiful library could be just around the corner.