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The Most Amazing Libraries In The World (PHOTOS, POLL)

The Huffington Post     First Posted: 03/24/10 06:12 AM ET   Updated: 05/25/11 04:15 PM ET

Times are changing for libraries everywhere. But even as many libraries build their digital collections and amp up their technological offerings, we thought we'd take a step back and show our appreciation for the beauty of many of these vast collections of books. Below are some of the most amazingly beautiful libraries from around the world.

Let us know what you think of these and let us know your favorites.

Reading Room at the British Museum
 
London, England
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Times are changing for libraries everywhere. But even as many libraries build their digital collections and amp up their technological offerings, we thought we'd take a step back and show our apprecia...
Times are changing for libraries everywhere. But even as many libraries build their digital collections and amp up their technological offerings, we thought we'd take a step back and show our apprecia...
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I've been a public librarian for about five years now, and the contrast between our users and our non-users is remarkable. One group consists of diehard fans. Another group seems to think we do nothing but read all day.
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Looking forward to the new Apple tablet that will be announced next week, I've been wondering if we might eventually see online book rentals.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Mystic01
Proudly pro-union
496 Fans
01:14 PM on 02/25/2010
I wish my book room at home looked like one of these places!
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booker52
avid reader
1169 Fans
07:01 AM on 02/18/2010
Love it, I am traveling this fall, I hope to see the library in Prague.
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EngLibMel
0 Fans
08:18 PM on 02/01/2010
As a librarian who has worked in three large university libraries for more than 20 years, and with collections of from 4-10 million volumes, I love the libraries pictured in this piece and poll. But the only library that I know of that I would pay $1000 to spend one day in is the Jay Walker Library, also known as the Library of Human Imagination. A good first look is in this piece in Wired from September, 2008:
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/16-10/ff_walker?currentPage=all
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ibflyin27
8 Fans
05:12 PM on 01/26/2010
I would have to add the Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Truly a beautiful site to behold along the shores of the Mediterranean.
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deepintheheartoftejas
Middle o/t Road = Yellow stripes & dead armadillos
230 Fans
08:16 PM on 01/24/2010
I rather like Google Books. It's certainly the easiest library to perform searches on. After that, EEBO.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
srj
39 Fans
04:49 PM on 01/24/2010
These photos make me so happy.
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Miss Trust
11 Fans
03:50 PM on 01/24/2010
I have the privilege of actually having a reader's pass for the British Library which I got with the help of a former prof of mine. That place is truly amazing and I do feel honored to be able to go into the reader's room. One of my favorite places in London.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Karen Sylte
11 Fans
11:23 AM on 01/24/2010
Look! Actual pictures of heaven!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
srj
39 Fans
04:43 PM on 01/24/2010
Well said!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ESerafina42
Abandoned by wolves, raised by Republicans.
471 Fans
11:23 AM on 01/24/2010
I wanted to e-mail this to a couple of people, but I don't see a link. Can we no longer do this? I know a lot of people who aren't on facebook, etc, but would love to see these photos.
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LMPE
I connect the most dissimilar things
1544 Fans
04:41 PM on 01/23/2010
The Lenin Library in Moscow should also get included.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
SaraMN00
30 Fans
02:42 PM on 01/23/2010
I love books. I admit that I could sit in a library or B&N for hours just being around books.I hate Kindles & Ebooks, but I'm apparently in the minority here. I love the smell of old books; & have been building my own library since I was in my teens. I'm using this list to add to my traveling one day.
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naschkatze
A free man creates himself.
2054 Fans
08:56 PM on 01/23/2010
x2
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ESerafina42
Abandoned by wolves, raised by Republicans.
471 Fans
11:17 AM on 01/24/2010
Amen, although I think ebooks have their place and will probably get one with my tax refund. They'll just never replace the real thing for me.
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CanHandleTheTruth
24 Fans
02:29 PM on 01/23/2010
I would've also the Wren Library in Trinity College, Cambridge, UK.

But then...it'd be understandible if they didn't let you in there so easily, for photos or otherwise...
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naschkatze
A free man creates himself.
2054 Fans
01:15 PM on 01/23/2010
The books trump rococo architecture for me so I vote for libraries like Seattle and Stockholm which are public friendly libraries. Lucky citizens can go and spending every day in them.
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greensound
0 Fans
02:51 PM on 01/23/2010
....indeed. last night i learned about the amazing Multimedia Library of Sendaï, Japan, while watching Architectures 4 (5-set DVD series, likewise recommended). it's a building that houses more than just a library, but that's part of what makes it so interesting....and public friendly.
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ramblingjohnny
148 Fans
 
09:00 PM on 01/22/2010
Wow that a cool idea for a travel around the world itinerary!
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WakingLife
230 Fans
05:42 AM on 01/23/2010
You're right. It really is. :D
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citlali
19 Fans
08:15 PM on 01/22/2010
The Palafoxiana in Puebla, Pue., Mexico.
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