#ShortList : Libraries of the World
The legacy of humankind, all of its achievements, its experiences and its history, written on the pages of ancient papyrus, saved digitally on computers. Libraries form an important role in carrying on information and learning for future generations of humankind. In this #ShortList, I present you a few libraries of the world worth a mention.
Beinecke Rare Book Library, Yale University, USA
A collection of rare books and manuscripts collected from all over the world are housed in this beautiful repository situated on the Yale University campus. A copy of the Gutenburg Bible, lauded as the first major printed publication, is housed here as well as the mysterious Voynich Manuscript, which today still baffles researchers.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt
Built in commemoration of the Library of Alexandria, whose legendary ancient collection was lost in antiquity. There is enough shelf-space to store more than eight-million books at any one time.
Stuttgart City Library, Germany
Built in an area slated to be an important future city-centre, this municipal library embodies the simplicity of German design.
Bodleian Library, Oxford, England
One of the oldest libraries in Europe, with continuous history as a library since the 17th century – it was used as the set for the Hogwarts Library in the first two Harry Potter films.
Klementinum, Prague, Czech Republic
The original stone cloister was a chapel built for Saint Clement, now fast forward ten centuries to the modern day where the Clementinum houses the Czech National Library. It is celebrated as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world – but I love the metaphor of this artwork, a bottom-less well of literature.
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