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The Most Amazing Libraries In The World (PHOTOS, POLL)

The Huffington Post   |  Amy Hertz and Jessie Kunhardt First Posted: 01-22-10 07:30 AM   |   Updated: 01-22-10 07:47 AM

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Read More: Amazing Libraries, Beautiful Libraries, Books, British Library, Libraries, Library Of Congress, Seattle Public Library, Slidepoll, Trinity College Library, Yale University Library, Books News

Times are changing for libraries everywhere. But even as many libraries build their digital collections and amp up their technological offerings, we thought we'd take a step back and show our appreciation for the beauty of many of these vast collections of books. Below are some of the most amazingly beautiful libraries from around the world.

Let us know what you think of these and let us know your favorites.

Reading Room at the British Museum
 
London, England
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Times are changing for libraries everywhere. But even as many libraries build their digital collections and amp up their technological offerings, we thought we'd take a step back and show our apprecia...
Times are changing for libraries everywhere. But even as many libraries build their digital collections and amp up their technological offerings, we thought we'd take a step back and show our apprecia...
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I've been a public librarian for about five years now, and the contrast between our users and our non-users is remarkable. One group consists of diehard fans. Another group seems to think we do nothing but read all day.
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David Colbert: Do You Mind If I Just Rent Your Book?

Looking forward to the new Apple tablet that will be announced next week, I've been wondering if we might eventually see online book rentals.
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David Rothman: How e-Books Could Smarten Up Kids and Stretch Library Dollars: A National Plan

Suppose a well-stocked national digital library system existed for Americans of different ages, along with the means to encourage schoolchildren and others to use it.

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BlueZoo
Every library casts a spell over me and I don't care what they look like! Just the idea that mankind thinks enough of books and learning that it concentrates books in certain buildings is... more >>

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- Mystic01 I'm a Fan of Mystic01 32 fans permalink

I wish my book room at home looked like one of these places!

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 01:14 PM on 2/25/2010
- booker52 I'm a Fan of booker52 41 fans permalink
photo

Love it, I am traveling this fall, I hope to see the library in Prague.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 07:01 AM on 2/18/2010
- EngLibMel I'm a Fan of EngLibMel permalink

As a librarian who has worked in three large university libraries for more than 20 years, and with collections of from 4-10 million volumes, I love the libraries pictured in this piece and poll. But the only library that I know of that I would pay $1000 to spend one day in is the Jay Walker Library, also known as the Library of Human Imagination. A good first look is in this piece in Wired from September, 2008:
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/16-10/ff_walker?currentPage=all

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 08:18 PM on 2/01/2010
- ibflyin27 I'm a Fan of ibflyin27 permalink

I would have to add the Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Truly a beautiful site to behold along the shores of the Mediterranean.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 05:12 PM on 1/26/2010
- deepintheheartoftejas I'm a Fan of deepintheheartoftejas 24 fans permalink
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I rather like Google Books. It's certainly the easiest library to perform searches on. After that, EEBO.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 08:16 PM on 1/24/2010
- srj I'm a Fan of srj permalink

These photos make me so happy.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 04:49 PM on 1/24/2010
- Miss Trust I'm a Fan of Miss Trust permalink
photo

I have the privilege of actually having a reader's pass for the British Library which I got with the help of a former prof of mine. That place is truly amazing and I do feel honored to be able to go into the reader's room. One of my favorite places in London.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 03:50 PM on 1/24/2010
- Karen Sylte I'm a Fan of Karen Sylte permalink
photo

Look! Actual pictures of heaven!

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 11:23 AM on 1/24/2010
- srj I'm a Fan of srj permalink

Well said!

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 04:43 PM on 1/24/2010
- ESerafina42 I'm a Fan of ESerafina42 38 fans permalink
photo

I wanted to e-mail this to a couple of people, but I don't see a link. Can we no longer do this? I know a lot of people who aren't on facebook, etc, but would love to see these photos.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 11:23 AM on 1/24/2010
- LMPE I'm a Fan of LMPE 133 fans permalink
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The Lenin Library in Moscow should also get included.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 04:41 PM on 1/23/2010
- SaraMN00 I'm a Fan of SaraMN00 4 fans permalink
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I love books. I admit that I could sit in a library or B&N for hours just being around books.I hate Kindles & Ebooks, but I'm apparently in the minority here. I love the smell of old books; & have been building my own library since I was in my teens. I'm using this list to add to my traveling one day.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 02:42 PM on 1/23/2010
- naschkatze I'm a Fan of naschkatze 139 fans permalink

x2

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 08:56 PM on 1/23/2010
- ESerafina42 I'm a Fan of ESerafina42 38 fans permalink
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Amen, although I think ebooks have their place and will probably get one with my tax refund. They'll just never replace the real thing for me.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 11:17 AM on 1/24/2010
- Miss Trust I'm a Fan of Miss Trust permalink
photo

I absolutely agree with you. No Kindle or Ebook could beat the excitement of actually having a real book in your hand or being in a bookstore / library and browsing through various books.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 03:48 PM on 1/24/2010
- nkadzi I'm a Fan of nkadzi 3 fans permalink

Amen and Amen!!

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 08:12 AM on 1/25/2010
- Mystic01 I'm a Fan of Mystic01 32 fans permalink

I agree completely.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 01:13 PM on 2/25/2010
- CanHandleTheTruth I'm a Fan of CanHandleTheTruth 6 fans permalink

I would've also the Wren Library in Trinity College, Cambridge, UK.

But then...it'd be understandible if they didn't let you in there so easily, for photos or otherwise...

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 02:29 PM on 1/23/2010
- naschkatze I'm a Fan of naschkatze 139 fans permalink

The books trump rococo architecture for me so I vote for libraries like Seattle and Stockholm which are public friendly libraries. Lucky citizens can go and spending every day in them.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 01:15 PM on 1/23/2010
- greensound I'm a Fan of greensound permalink

....indeed. last night i learned about the amazing Multimedia Library of Sendaï, Japan, while watching Architectures 4 (5-set DVD series, likewise recommended). it's a building that houses more than just a library, but that's part of what makes it so interesting....and public friendly.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 02:51 PM on 1/23/2010
- ramblingjohnny I'm a Fan of ramblingjohnny 9 fans permalink
photo

Wow that a cool idea for a travel around the world itinerary!

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 09:00 PM on 1/22/2010
- WakingLife I'm a Fan of WakingLife 32 fans permalink
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You're right. It really is. :D

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 05:42 AM on 1/23/2010
- citlali I'm a Fan of citlali 8 fans permalink
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The Palafoxiana in Puebla, Pue., Mexico.

    Reply     Favorite     Flag as abusive Posted 08:15 PM on 1/22/2010
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