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09.08.07

Nat Torkington

Nat Torkington

Beautiful Libraries of the World

Bibliophilia is an occupational hazard in the publishing industry. I've got it, and I know Tim does. We both loved this set of photos of beautiful libraries around the world. To be allowed a day in each library would make a fantastic holiday itinerary. The non-book-lovers among you are saying "my god, a whole day?! In a dusty old library?! Day after day for two weeks?! What would you do?!" Think of it like Bill Clinton going on a harem tour. We'd find something to keep our hands full.

(via Reddit)



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Comments: 12

monopole   [09.08.07 05:33 AM]

Think of it like Bill Clinton going on a harem tour.

That's an incredibly cheap shot. Actually given that as an incredibly literate individual, Clinton would most likely be one to enjoy a fortnight of library hopping, while the current resident of the white house would regard it as hell.

Stephen Howard   [09.08.07 06:57 AM]

Any idea what kind of digitization/preservation plans all of these libraries have? Probably insufficiently funded, but as mentioned on Radar in the past(1) about the percentage of the world's knowledge that is swiftly being rendered invisible, my heart aches to see so much of the world's knowledge known and easily accessible to so few.

1 http://radar.oreilly.com/archives/2007/03/history_digitiz.html

Scott Carpenter   [09.08.07 07:30 AM]

Beautiful -- thank you. But those libraries look much too nice to actually use; they're more like mausoleums for books. :-)

Alain Pierrot   [09.08.07 08:07 AM]

"so much of the world's knowledge known and easily accessible to so few."

Indeed, but this is where digital technology and the web have already really improved the situation: ten to fifteen years ago, it wasn't even considered possible to open access to these cultural assets except for a few scholars.
Now there are quite a few programs going on.
Have a look, for instance at the Bibliotheca Corvina project (still in need of funding but helped by UNESCO):
http://www.corvina.oszk.hu/corvinas-html/hub1codlat160.htm

or the database of French illuminated manuscripts:
http://liberfloridus.cines.fr/

And some companies can be steadily working to give a world wide access to these treasures.
Have a look (even if it is in French) at Arkhenum's beautiful gallery:
http://www.arkhenum.fr/numerisation.html

Darius Schoenfeld   [09.08.07 08:20 AM]

Torkington: what an abominable joke.

Mark   [09.08.07 08:46 AM]

A lot of the older and often small "Carnegie Libraries" scattered across the U.S. are real architectural gems, both inside and out. How can one NOT enjoy being in such spaces! Alas, many are being abandoned because they are too tiny or costly to maintain.

I can't speak about the rest of the country, but the local libraries in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area are just *packed* with local residents. A number of new library branches have been build (such as the new Minneapolis Central library designed by Cesar Pelli) and others re-designed to really effective results. They are usually both interesting to look at and a pleasure to use. It is unfortunately a naive belief by some that most libraries are simply repositories of dusty books when in fact they are social centers with access to information of all sorts. A new generation of librarians are emerging (as noted in a recent NYT article on the topic) who 'get' what libraries can be to the community and are delivering.

alex tolley   [09.08.07 10:10 AM]

Shame that modern libraries are not included, like the new public library in Seattle.

Steve Cisler   [09.08.07 11:44 AM]

As far as west coast libraries go, I think people will find the design and ease of use in Vancouver, B.C. Public Library and San Jose Public Library superior to Seattle. Many large public buildings are show places for architects, but the two I mentioned really listened to input from the public and staff.

Kristen   [09.09.07 04:21 AM]

You mean there are people that wouldn't enjoy a vacation full of libraries?? I am lucky enough to have one of the most beautiful libraries in the world in my (half-)hometown of Seattle, so I know all too well the breathlessness inspired by the juxtaposition of great architecture and great books.

You might also enjoy my latest objects of booklust, Candida Höfer's Libraries. Somewhat ironically though for a book about libraries, the $100 price tag is a bit out of my range at the moment! Ah, the tragedy of a cash-strapped booklover...

Sylvia H   [09.09.07 06:31 AM]

Yeah shame that modern libraries are not included...

Alain Pierrot   [09.09.07 12:02 PM]

Would it be worth launching a campaign of investigation about the places where a place, surroundings, whatever... significantly enhance the experience of reading?
Given most of the comments here, places are very relevant!

Dino Borelli   [09.13.07 03:49 AM]

Good grief... what a terrible waste of space.. what were the architects thinking ;)


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