The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library” – This famous quote from Albert Einstein gives a clear reflection of the importance of libraries in our life. The following are 9 magnificent libraries around the world.


9. George Peabody Library, Baltimore, U.S
The George Peabody Library is a magnificent library in Baltimore city of Maryland State. Formerly known as the library of Peabody institute. In 1857 the Philanthropist George Peabody dedicated this institute library to the citizens of Baltimore City. In the following year the George Peabody Library building was officially opened for the public.

Today the library has a collection of more than 300000 items in total. The titles cover various subjects including architecture, geography, exploration, American literature, British and American history and British art. A large percentage of these items are from 18th and 20th centuries.

Today the library has a collection of more than 300000 items in total. The titles cover various subjects including architecture, geography, exploration, American literature, British and American history and British art. A large percentage of these items are from 18th and 20th centuries.

The George Peabody Library is also known for its striking architectural design. The building was designed by Baltimore architect Edmund G Lind. The ornamental cast-iron balconies, 60 foot ceilings and gold-scalloped columns of this library are absolutely breathtaking.




8. New York Public Library, New York City, U.S

The New York Public library is the fourth largest library in the world. The library holds a collection of 53 million items. The collection includes 60000 manuscripts, 800000 digital images, 431000 maps and 16000 atlases. The stacks of this library contains 125 miles long bookshelves.

The New York Public library also holds the original copy of Christopher Columbus’s letter on the first voyager, the letter that announcing the great explorer’s discovery of the new world. The letter was written back in 1493.

Founded back in 1911 the majestic New York Public library is also the largest marble building in the U.S. More than 530000 cubic feet of marble were used for the construction of this monumental building. The grand entrance of the library features two impressive lion statues and entitles ‘patience and fortitude’.




There are also six majestic statues in the museum, sculpted by American sculptor Paul Wayland Bartlett. The sculptures represent philosophy, poetry, drama, history, religion and romance. The main lobby known ‘Astro Hall’ contains beautiful ceiling and decorative lights. The reading rooms of the library with large arched windows are also impressive.




7. Stockholm Public Library
The Stockholm public library is one of the notable landmarks of Stockholm city. It was founded in 1928. The amazing library was designed by Swedish architect Erik Gunnar Asplund. The library holds a collection of 4400000 items.

The collection includes 2 million books and 2.4 million audio tapes and books. The collection of the Stockholm public library also comprise 100 different languages.


The Stockholm public library features free access to the stacks for visitors, the first library in Sweden to offer such design. The interior the library building also contain lots of windows to receive the natural lights.





6. Real Gabinete Portuguese de Leitura, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Real Gabinete Portuguese de Leitura library in the downtown of Rio de Janeiro is also known as Royal Portuguese Reading room in English. The library has the second largest collection of Portuguese literary in the world. The library was established in 1837 by Portuguese immigrants to develop the popularity of Portuguese literature in the new colony.



The Portuguese Reading Room houses 350000 works from 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Many of these works offer invaluable information about the culture and history of Portugal. The library also has a small collection of sculptures, ancient coins and paintings.

Apart from the rich collection the Portuguese Reading room is notable for its incredible architectural beauty. The Portuguese late Gothic style was used for the construction of this library. You can see four spectacular sculptures at the entrance of the library. These sculptures portray four great Portuguese including Vasco da Gama, Pedro Alvares Cabral, Luis de Camoes and Infante Henry.

The wooden bookshelves and ornamental doors also give a unique look to the library. The reading room of the library also contains a beautiful skylight structure made of iron and an attractive chandelier.

In Nigeria reading culture is dying if not dead...perhaps if state government can build sophisticated library as these, the reading culture can be rejuvenated...

This is why the only thing I buy for my Kids is books and more book and trust me folks they are sharp!


Meanwhile am FTC!

ramdris:
Am here

lolzz. chill

98% Nairalanders would hate this and thereby avoid it.

waxxydude:
98% Nairalanders would hate this and thereby avoid it.

why

Mazeltovscotty:
why

They hardly read a full write-up here, talkless of coming to see a large library full of books. It'd weak them so they'd avoid it like plague.

I've always loved libraries. Those are stunning​.