Books offer us an insight into the lives of people, different cultures, traditions and times. We often connect with the emotional aspects of the characters in our books and what ensues is an enjoyable, insightful vision into life and people. If you’re one of those voracious readers who read every new book of his/her favorite author and likes to spends hours with books libraries are a great place where you can overcome distractions and make most out of the reading experience. In case you’re soon planning for a world tour we list out seven important libraries across the globe that are must visit for the bibliophiles.
Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
This library is the largest building in the world with the sole purpose of preserving rare books. The library is home to 500,000 volumes and millions of manuscripts but what distinguishes it from others is also its design. Opened in 1963 and designed by Gordon Bunshaft the building offers ultra-protection to the books inside by avoiding windows above ground floor and allowing translucent marbles to allow light and filter out ultra-violet rays that can harm books. The books are distributed across six floors above the ground and three floors below it. The library is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and would be hosting a number of events throughout the year.
Royal Portuguese Reading Room
This is a must-visit place for bibliophiles in Rio de Janeiro. Constructed during 1880-1887, it is home to about 350,000 volumes. It might look like an old building from outside but the sheer beauty of the architecture will amaze you. Illuminated by a chandelier, the books are distributed across four stories. The interiors are built with neomanuelino style with ornamental doors, wooden shelves and paintings. So next you’re in Brazil, don’t forget to get some insight into Portuguese era inside this architectural masterpiece.
Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
Thomas Fischer library at the University of Toronto is home to the rarest of the rare books such as Newton’s “Principia” and Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species”. Opened in 1973 the library has about 600,000 volumes and 2500 manuscripts. The library is host to wide variety of books from 1789 B.C. Babylonian cuneiform tablet to the latest research conduct the University of Toronto. The university has taken the initiative to digitize the rare books in the library so that they can be preserved digitally for the years to come.
The National Library of Finland
One of the oldest and largest library of Finland, the National Library of Finland is also the library of University of Helsinki. The library is the biggest repository of Finnish cultural heritage and it receives copies of all printed material in the country. The university has around 2.6 million books and periodicals varying from papyrus collection of 3rd century BC to electronic publications. The building though not only serves as a library but is also an architectural marvel thanks to its atrium style of architecture.
New York Public Library
The world’s third largest public library hosts nearly 53 million items in the heart of New York City. Located in the vicinity of Hell’s Kitchen the library offers a majestic reading room, named as Rose Reading Room. The reading room is roughly the size of two city blocks and was renovated to meet the needs of people with 15 million dollars. Hollywood too has admired the architectural beauty of the place and it features in major Hollywood films such as Spiderman, The Day After Tomorrow and Ghostbusters. The library is also a structural landmark as it remained the largest marble structure in United States for years. The entrance consists of two stone lions guarding it. The building was declared a National Historic landmark in 1965 and has been renovated at a price of 50 million dollars.
The Library of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
The new library of Alexandria aims to revive the magic and legacy of the ancient library, which was one of the largest and significant libraries of its time. While the ancient library was put to flames in 48 B.C. the new one aims to preserve some of the rare and indispensible manuscripts of their time. Around 220 million dollars were invested to restore the library which is host to 250,000 books on its shelves. The library consists of a planetarium, museum, exhibition space and a manuscript restoration lab. To avoid the fate of its predecessor the new building is fireproof.
José Vasconcelos Library in México City
Also referred to as “Megabiblioteca”, José Vasconcelos Library boasts one of the most advanced architectures on the planet. Spread across an area of 38,000 square metres it is also one of the ecofriendly libraries as it is encompassed by a botanical garden that is host to 168 different species of trees, herbs and shrubs. The library was developed with an initial investment of S$98 million and belongs to the category of advanced libraries.