Public Libraries

[dtown]

I saw the topic about Carneige Libraries, and thought we should have a topic that covers public libraries. So, feel free to post pics of you local libraries, or libraries that you have visited and especially liked.

Ill start.

Heres the main branch of The Detroit Public Library

[flotown]

Florence SC Bruce & Lee Library, completed in 2004.

[dgreco]

the florance library is amazing. Do yuo have any pictures of the inside?

[dtown]

Man, what a great library! I wouldve never guessed that was built in 04.

My city might build a new library and municipal building, they are debating it right now and getting the final proposals together. I hope they do, because their current building is nasty, from the early 60's. They demolished a beautiful classic brick and limestone 3 story building to build a 1 story POS with wood and tan brick.

[Snowguy716]

This is the Bemidji Public Library which is part of the Kitchigami Regional Library System that covers parts of northern and central Minnesota. The current building was completed in 1995 and remains very technically advanced.

[Snowguy716]

This is the new Minneapolis Central Library that opened on May 20th, 2006. In comparison with the Florence library, this one is very modern. Both are very attractive in their own way.

[dtown]

Wow, that one is BEAUTIFUL snowguy!

Ive taken a liking to Traverse City, MI's new library they built just south of downtown.

From http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbeery/

From http://www.flickr.com/photos/happygillmore/

[Inkdaub]

Here's the main branch in Portland. I tried to find some interior pics as it's a very nice building but couldn't find any really good ones. Suffice it to say this branch is very pleasant. (Pic from movingtoportland.net)

Now here is the mighty Seattle Public Library main branch as designed by Rem Koolhaas. I wouldn't call it beautiful like Portland's but it does make a massive statement. Seeing it in person is fairly breathtaking as well. It also holds the honor of being the strangest building I have ever been inside of that wasn't really supposed to be strange...meaning it isn't the Wichester House, it's a library. But the interior space is very strange and a bit unsettling. I love it for these reasons. It's very different from any other library I have ever been in.

Exterior (from figure-ground.com)

Interior (from figure-ground.com)

(and the rest from spl.org, the library's main site)

I left out some of the stranger areas of the building. The three interiors are of the main level and the top(10th) level reading area. There is much to be seen in between. If you find yourself in Seattle go see this building...even if you hate it you will be glad you visited.

[ZachariahDaMan]

Here's all the libraries I have pictures of.

Chicago, IL

Concord, MI (darker building)

Hamburg, MI (1966-2001)

Ionia, MI- built 1869-70, used as a library since 1903

Manchester, MI

Tecumseh, MI

Ypsilanti, MI

[Inkdaub]

Here's the main branch in Portland. I tried to find some interior pics as it's a very nice building but couldn't find any really good ones. Suffice it to say this branch is very pleasant. (Pic from movingtoportland.net)

Now here is the mighty Seattle Public Library main branch as designed by Rem Koolhaas. I wouldn't call it beautiful like Portland's but it does make a massive statement. Seeing it in person is fairly breathtaking as well. It also holds the honor of being the strangest building I have ever been inside of that wasn't really supposed to be strange...meaning it isn't the Wichester House, it's a library. But the interior space is very strange and a bit unsettling. I love it for these reasons. It's very different from any other library I have ever been in.

Exterior (from spl.org)

Interior (from spl.org)

(and the rest from spl.org, the library's main site)

I left out some of the stranger areas of the building. The three interiors are of the main level and the top(10th) level reading area. There is much to be seen in between. If you find yourself in Seattle go see this building...even if you hate it you will be glad you visited.

[seicer]

The Florence, South Carolina Bruce & Lee Library looks fantastic! One-hundred-years from now, we can look back and say, "See, we still built classical structures well into the late-20th and 21st century."

[dixiecupdrinking]

Boston's is gorgeous:

[Cotuit]

Boston's is gorgeous:

[skirby]

The Central Arkansas Library System's main branch in downtown Little Rock, AR. It is located in the River Market District. At one time the building was an old warehouse.

The library campus also contains the Cox Creative Center and the Arkansas Studies Institute. The building in the foreground is the Cox Creative Center and the buildings under construction will be the Arkansas Studies Institute.

[krazeeboi]

Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SC:

[Raintree21]

Library of Congress: Washington, D.C.

Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Chapel Hill, NC

Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County: Charlotte, NC

[FortWorthology]

Downtown Fort Worth Public Library, built 1998:

[Southron]

Mobile, Alabama main library, renovation and expansion completed in 2007:

[Sean Reynolds]

The Salt Lake City Public Library, which opened up in 2002.

The original library, which was turned into a planetarium, has just been purchased. Not sure what they'll turn it into now.

[Rufus]

wow, the SLC library reminds me a bit of the Public Library in Vancouver, BC.

[Rybak 187]

Here is a picture of the main library that was recently built in downtown Bay City, MI.

[Timize]

Grand Rapids Public Library in Grand Rapids, MI:

[intcvlcphlga]

See below post...

[intcvlcphlga]

Here's the main branch in Portland. I tried to find some interior pics as it's a very nice building but couldn't find any really good ones. Suffice it to say this branch is very pleasant. (Pic from movingtoportland.net)

Now here is the mighty Seattle Public Library main branch as designed by Rem Koolhaas. I wouldn't call it beautiful like Portland's but it does make a massive statement. Seeing it in person is fairly breathtaking as well. It also holds the honor of being the strangest building I have ever been inside of that wasn't really supposed to be strange...meaning it isn't the Wichester House, it's a library. But the interior space is very strange and a bit unsettling. I love it for these reasons. It's very different from any other library I have ever been in.

Exterior (from figure-ground.com)

Interior (from figure-ground.com)

(and the rest from spl.org, the library's main site)

I left out some of the stranger areas of the building. The three interiors are of the main level and the top(10th) level reading area. There is much to be seen in between. If you find yourself in Seattle go see this building...even if you hate it you will be glad you visited.