Intelligence, human knowledge, it’s what has propelled the human race from grunts and growls to the sophisticated species we are today. And it’s largely thanks to the spread of human knowledge by way of reading and the exchange of books: libraries! Check out these unique libraries from all over the world. Check out these unique libraries.
Library of Congress
Washington, DC
The Library of Congress holds over 36 million books and over 121 million maps, manuscripts, photographs, films, recordings, paintings and drawings, and other special collections. The idea for a Congressional Library first came from James Maidson and in 1800, the Library of Congress was born. The collection started with 740 books and 3 maps. The Library of Congress has the largest (and most historically significant) rare book collection in North America including the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and the Gutenberg Bible.
Geisel Library – University of California, San Diego
San Diego, California
Other than your typical arts and sciences book you would find on any college campus, it also contains the Mandeville Special Collections — which houses the Dr. Seuss Collection (all of his original sketches, drawings, proofs, manuscripts, and more!). The library is named after its donors, Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss! Also, unique to the library, the third floor is “missing” the library jumps from level 2 to level 4 without a 3rd floor option.
Paris – Bibliotheque Nationale
Paris, France
The library consists of four 22-story ‘open book’ shaped buildings. The library itself is impressive in that it holds over 12,000,000 printed books.
McAllen Public Library
McAllen, Texas
At 124,500 square feet, The McAllen Public Library is the largest single story library in the country. And in 2012 the International Interior Design Association awarded the library as the best in the interior design competition. The new library has utilized the high ceilings and added new windows and skylights to give the old big-box retailer a bright and cheery feel.
Villaneuva Public Library
Villaneuva, Colombia
Designed with the locals in mind, this unique public library makes use of local materials: river rocks collected from nearby rivers and pine wood from ecologically controlled forests. The library doesn’t only hold books, but it was also built to serve the whole community: half the building is reserved for community usage in the form of theatre, children’s library and public work spaces.
Philology Library – Free University
Berlin, Germany
Aptly nicknamed, the Berlin Brain, this unique library was designed to replicate the human brain. During the day the entire library is lit by natural light. The building is also heated and cooled naturally by utilizing a series of water pipes and ventilating windows.
Stuttgart City Library
Stuttgart, Germany
The Stuttgart City Library was born out of concept to give the city a new intellectual and cultural center. Architecturally speaking, the building is a work of art. It takes the form of a cube with a grey faced facade built out of 9×9 frosted glass bricks. A modern exterior design while the interior kept the past in mind; the inside of the library follows the design of the ancient pantheon. And in the middle of the library there is a cube shaped room that holds a fountain and is considered a place for meditation.