Libraries

• Reference: Libraries: Library and Information Science: Library History  (53)

Alvar Aalto Viipuri Library :

- Also referred to as Vyborg Library, Viipuri Library was designed by Alvar Aalto and completed in 1935. It is considered to be a masterpiece of International Modernism. Description, photographs and details of its restoration.
Bodleian Library :

- Oxford University's page about its main research library, one of the oldest in Europe and which today consists of the buildings on the central site and nine other libraries.
Carnegie Libraries of California :

- History, architecture and use of over 100 libraries constructed between 1902 and 1921 from funding by Andrew Carnegie. Search by city, region, architectural style, or name of architect.
Carnegie Libraries of Scotland :

- An illustrated guide by Gerry Blaikie to the architecture and history of libraries funded by Andrew Carnegie in Scotland.
Designing Libraries - Library Buildings Online :

- A database of descriptions and images of recent UK public library building projects. A resource for sharing expertise and experience on library planning and design.
The Forum, Norwich :

- The architecture and construction of The Forum library in Norwich, designed by Hopkins Architects and completed in October 2001 on the site of the former Central Library which was destroyed by fire in 1994.
The George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland :

- The history of the library, widely recognized as one of the most beautiful library spaces in North America. Includes a link to a small photo gallery.
Glasgow University Library :

- An illustrated timeline of one of the largest libraries in the United Kingdom, with its origins in the Middle Ages, but now housed in a building of the 1960s.
Great Buildings Online: Libraries :

- Photographs, dates and discussions of a selection of the world's most outstanding library buildings from ancient to modern, with references.
The Howe Library, Hannover, New Hampshire :

- The story of the library founded in 1900 by Emily Howe, with history and future plans.
The Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity :

- About the building, constructed in Boston in the neoclassical style between 1932 and 1934, and restored by Ann Beha Architects in 2002.
McLennan Library Building :

- A seven-storey reinforced concrete structure built in 1969 at the McGill campus in Montreal and designed by Dobush, Stewart, and Bourke. Description and photographs.
Minneapolis Public Library :

- A factsheet on the Sumner Community Library, a Carnegie Library in the Tudor Revival style, which first opened in 1915 and was restored and expanded in 2004.
New York Public Library :

- The history of the library designed by architects Carrère and Hastings, and completed in 1911. The design is based on the innovative ideas of its director, Dr. John Shaw Billings.
Pasadena Public Library :

- A brief history from its founding in 1882, with illustrations and links to further details. The 1924 buildings designed by Myron Hunt and H.C.Chambers were restored and renovated between 1984 and 1990.
Private Libraries in Ancient Rome :

- An essay by Jerry Fielden in 2001.
Seattle Public Library :

- Arcspace's page about the innovative design for the new Central Library by architect Rem Koolhass, with brief description and photographs.
South Christchurch Library :

- An environmentally friendly building opened in 2003 and winner of a supreme award for architecture at the NZIA awards. Designed by Architecture Warren and Mahoney. Links to photographs and further information about the building.
The State Library of Victoria :

- A four-part detailed history of the origins and evolution of Australia's first free public Library.
The State Library of Victoria Redevelopment Project :

- Describes the Domed Reading Room, a massive eight-sided polygon built in 1909, and the current renovation and construction project involving 22 buildings.
The Sterling Memorial Library :

- Contemporary description and photographs from the April 1931 issue of the Yale Library Gazette.
Tales from the Book Room: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Country House Libraries and their Books :

- Conference paper by Susie West on the absence of contextual information in the historiography of private libraries. [PDF]
University of Cambridge History Faculty Library :

- Subject of a limited competition won by architect James Stirling, the library building was completed in 1968 and awarded an RIBA Gold medal. Photographs and brief description.
Wikipedia: Biblioteca Joanina :

- The Baroque library of the University of Coimbra, built in the 18th century. An illustrated description from the collaborative online encyclopedia.
Wikipedia: Bibliotheca Alexandrina :

- This huge modern library in Egypt designed by Norwegian architects Snøhetta, commemorates the famous ancient Library of Alexandria. An illustrated description from the collaborative online encyclopedia.
Wikipedia: Danish Royal Library :

- An illustrated description with a link to a Wikimedia Commons thumbnail gallery of images of the new (1999) 'Black Diamond' library extension building designed by the Danish architects Schmidt, Hammer and Lassen.