All the knowledge and wisdom of the world resides in the libraries. Around the world there are some unique ones curated and designed in a manner that would compel even non-readers to pick a title. Metrolife brings to you five such libraries that are every reader’s paradise.
Library of Trinity College, Dublin
Founded in 1592, it is an academic library with over 70,00,000 volumes. The library is not only vintage and massive but is also a must see on the itinerary of all Dublin visitors. It is home to six hundred medieval manuscripts ranging in date from the fifth century to the sixteenth.
The library is also the house to one of the three surviving medieval Gaelic harps, called Brian Boru’s harp. The harp housed in the library is the national symbol of Ireland which was used as a model of coat of arms of Ireland, and for the trade-mark of the famous Guinness stout.
Chetham’s Library, Manchester
The oldest free public reference library in the English-speaking world, the Chetham’s library was established in 1653. The library operates as an independent charity, open to readers free of charge. The library holds more than 1,00,000 volumes of printed books, of which 60,000 were published before 1851.
The volumes include 16th and 17th century printed works, periodicals and journals, local history sources, broadsides and ephemera. The library also has a collection of over a 1,000 manuscripts of which 41 are medieval texts.
Qatar National Library, Qatar
The ultra-modern, state-of-the-art library has a collection of over 8,00,000 books on its shelves and more than 5,00,000 eBooks, periodicals and newspapers, and special collections. The library has an underground area where the Heritage collection is on display.
The library aims to serve a three-fold function: as a national library, a research-level university library, and a central metropolitan public library equipped for the digital age. Any Qatari citizen or resident permit holder is eligible for free library registration.
Mansueto library, Chicago
The avant-garde library is a part of Chicago University. The library houses over 35 Lakh books in an underground vault facility which uses robotic cranes to fetch books.
The library is straight out of a sci-fi movie and since the books are stored away from the readers, the space in the library feels very open and bright. The library is a portrayal of Chicago university’s science department’s devotion to innovation.
Seattle Public Library Central Library, Seattle
The Seattle Central Library is the flagship library of the Seattle Public Library system.
The cost of building the public library was over $165 million. The renovated 11-storey library has a capacity of over 15 lakh books.
The library spans over 3,62,987 square feet and offers over 400 computers for public use.
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