“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” – Jorge Luis Borges
As a child I was an avid reader. I’m sure that comes as no surprise. And although we had a number of books in the house, I read them far too quickly for it to make sense to keep buying more. I think I got my library card when I was 4 years old. Craft classes and story time were fun, but my favorite part was always picking out new books to take home. Libraries have a sense of magic about them. Rows upon rows of paperbacks and hardcovers, picture books and encyclopedias, chapter books and series. Each one with a new tale to tell.
Libraries are the hub of so many communities. A place where everyone is welcome. Libraries are free, quiet, and climate controlled. You can meet a friend there for a club, take children there for an event, listen to authors and speakers, or go there to study, or get some work done. So where are some of the world’s best libraries located?
- The Clementinum in Prague, Czechoslovakia. One of the largest building complexes in Europe, the library has existed since 1556. In addition to it being a former Jesuit school, it also contains an astronomy tower. http://www.klementinum.com/index.php/en/history
- The Royal Library in Copenhagen, Denmark. The library consists of two parts. The original complex of the Royal Library and the Black Diamond. The latter, a modern-looking structure, was built in 1999. The library also houses a cafe, exhibition space and a concert hall.
http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/royal-danish-library-black-diamond-gdk41221
- The Marciana Library in Venice, Italy. Located in the famous St. Mark’s Square, this library houses original manuscripts of the Iliad, as well as the most important collection of Greek, Latin and Oriental manuscripts. http://www.venice-tourism.com/en/places/san-marco-district/marciana-national-library
- Trinity College Old Library in Dublin, Ireland. Constructed in the 1700s, the Library is now most famous for containing The Book of Kells. http://www.tcd.ie/library/old-library/
- Stuttgart City Library in Stuttgart, Germany. This 9 story tall building has a glass and brick facade and the interior is ALL white. This is in order to not distract patrons from the colors of the thousands of books contained within. https://librarybuildings.info/germany/stuttgarts-municipal-library
- The Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt. Since the original library was destroyed centuries ago, this library was constructed in 2002. The façade is covered in letters and characters from more than a hundred different languages. The building also contains a planetarium, four museums, academic research centers, and a multimedia presentation of Egypt’s heritage.https://www.bibalex.org/en/Page/message
There are SO many more amazing libraries worldwide, as well as within our own country- New York City’s Public Library, The Library of Congress and the Library at Johns Hopkins are phenomenal. But no matter where you go to check out your books, know that every library, even the one just up the block, contains magic.
love & kisses,
Mika Jolie
Kitty says
I love this list! Will you do more in the future? Like, Library of Congress, etc.? Thank you!!
Carla VanZandt says
Awesome list!!!