Check These Libraries Out! You’re Overdue for a Visit
By Laura Whitman Dy
As many are heading back to school, we shouldn’t forget about the other wondrous places of learning: libraries. Before we jump into the library magical-ness, I just want to say that there could be many, many volumes on this topic; there are just so many amazing libraries out there! That being said, let’s get ready to start drooling at a couple, whether it is for the aesthetics, offerings, or both!
Trinity College Long Room | Dublin, Ireland
First up is a library that I have had the honor of experiencing in person, which is Trinity College’s Long Room in Dublin, Ireland. This majestic room houses books dating back hundreds of years. This room also boasts 14 busts of philosophers and writers created by sculptor Peter Scheemaker. It is also famous for the Book of Kells, which is a book of the four Christian gospels dating back to approximately 900 AD and featuring detailed illustrations that are still admired for their beauty and bright colors.
You can plan your visit here!
Austin Public Library, Central Library location | Austin, Texas
The Austin Public Library is what every library should be; it isn’t just a place of books, it is a space for members of the community to thrive in. The main branch houses not only books and media, but also a bookish giftshop, art gallery, innovation lab, seed library, and more. Plus, the top of the library is home to the Roof Garden, a luscious green space overlooking the downtown area and Lady Bird Lake. They also offer many online resources, including Electric Lady Bird, which is an online catalog of musicians who call Central Texas home.
Check out Electric Lady Bird here. See more of what Austin Public library has to offer.
Schusssenried Monastery Library | Bad Schussenried, Germany
While not the exact library that inspired Belle’s library in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast—that title belongs to the Admont Abbey Library in Austria—this one still has the Baroque style splashed in gorgeous pastel colors that makes me gasp every time I see photos of it. The ceiling was painted in 1757 by Franz Georg Hermann and depicts 14 different scenes of monastic history. An added bonus is that you can see this gorgeous wonder for under five Euros.
For visitor information, check out their website!
Kansas City Public Library, Central Library location | Kansas City, Missouri
This library is every book lover’s dream, and surprisingly not just for the interior! This famous building has a design on the parking garage that lets everyone know what they are all about! With famous books painted on the side wall and steps shaped like books, you know exactly where you are going when you arrive. This downtown location offers many resources, but the system as a whole works hard to make sure that those in the Kansas City area can access books no matter what, including a Bookmobile and KCLibrary by Mail.
You can learn more about the locations and system on their website.