“What school thinks about its library is a measure of what it feels about education.”
It seems that some academic facilities have taken the full meaning of these words and brought to the world some of the most beautiful libraries you can ever find. Here, we list to you the first part of these marvelous Academic Libraries. Make sure you check the second part of the 23 University Libraries that bookworms would never leave. Ranging between the authentic grandiose of Gothic and lavishness of Baroque to the slick neatness of Ultra-modern, all these libraries will make you feel dreamy. We know that bookworms would read whenever and wherever, but the architecture of space takes the reading experience to a new level. So, let’s take a look now and feel the magic.
What is the Role of a University Library?
Academic libraries are the brain of a university. As an asset and major knowledge resource, a university library supports both students and faculty researchers. The highest priority of a university library is providing trusted research material through their books and resources collections. They also serve the students and staff’s need for reading and studying spaces. Moreover, academic libraries keep and archive the books and papers written by the faculty personnel.
List of University Libraries
1.William R. Perkins Library, Duke University – USA
Courtesy of Duke Univ Libraries
The William R. Perkins Library has been serving the community since it was part of the Trinity College Library in the 1800s till it became a major research institution. It underwent several expansions and changes to its services and functions. The William R. Perkins Library has nine branches on campus and holds some 6 million volumes.
2.Biblioteca Joanina, University of Coimbra – Portugal
University of Coimbra
The Joanina Library was built on the ruins of a medieval prison on the campus of Coimbra University to keep the books collection of the university. This academic library holds some 56,000 volumes and is known today as one of the most remarkable archival libraries. It also serves as a museum and a cultural events hub for the university.
3.Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University – USA
© Brian Rose
Sterling Memorial Library was built in 1930 to house Yale University’s books collection. It is now the largest university library on the campus, and it holds over 4 million volumes. The hand-decorated windows across the 15 levels of the library are an introduction to the unique gothic aesthetic inside the building.
4.Trinity College Library, University of Dublin – Ireland
photography by © Daniel Mennerich
Trinity College Library is the largest library in Ireland and its featured Long Room is the largest single-chamber library in the world. Today, it holds over 6 million volumes which reflects the academic development of the 400 years old college. Trinity College Library not only serves the local users but also supports external users and institutions.
5.William Rainey Harper Memorial Library, Chicago University – USA
Courtesy of architecture.UChicago
According to Chicago Tribune, the William Rainey Harper Memorial Library was “the largest and most important building yet erected on the campus of the University of Chicago”. This is surely due to its elegant architecture and innovative technology; this university library featured pneumatic tubes to transmit book orders!
6.Linderman Library, Lehigh University in Pennsylvania – USA
The Lehigh University Linderman Library in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
Under the Rotunda of the Linderman University Library, you can witness the stained glass and sky-light aesthetics of this architecture. This academic library was built by the university’s founder to be a memorial for his daughter and witnessed several renovations and expansions to attract more students and be able to keep the aging volumes of books.
7.Warsaw University Library, Warsaw – Poland
Courtesy of Warsaw University Library interior
The Warsaw University Library is not just a home for a great collection of books, it is also a cultural and meeting hub for its visitors. The raw concrete, glass facades, and green vegetation introduce a unique experience. The library features a roof garden where one can observe both the skyline of the city and the interior of the library.
8.Klarchek Information Commons, Loyola University Chicago – USA
Courtesy of Loyola University Chicago
Klarcheck Information Commons realized the needs of the digital era as a modern university library. It features spaces for internet-based research spaces – with an open and flexible design to enhance collaboration. This library building achieved the LEED Silver certificate due to its innovative building systems and technologies.
9.Philological Library of the Free University, Berlin – Germany
photography by © Andreas Levers
A landmark created by Foster and Partners which resembles “Berlin Brain” is in the Free University and connects six different courtyards. The Philological University Library is the futuristic addition to the post-war campus buildings. The building is covered with a canopy that enhances natural ventilation daylight to create effective studying spaces.
10.University of Indonesia Central Library, Depok – Indonesia
Courtesy of Denton Corker Marshall
The Indonesia Central University Library is an earth architecture form. It connects the architecture of today with the ancient philosophies in Indonesia’s culture. The architects took inspiration from the ancient practice of inscribing wisdom on stone tablets, and created iconic, large stone tablets that rise from the earth, and are home to knowledge and wisdom.
11.Pontifical Lateran University library, Rome – Italy
photography by © Iris Speed Reading
The extension of the Pontifical Lateran University Library is placed closer to the heart of the university. The reading rooms are placed in a single space that provides access to 70,000 volumes that are distributed in a fire-protected tower of six floors. This extension both respects the context of the campus and expresses its modernized character.
12.Central Library, University of Technology, Delft – Netherlands
Courtesy of Meccano architects
The Central Library of TU Delft is still serving the campus and satisfying its modern needs even after two decades of its opening – this goes back to the fact that this library was built with the digital transition in mind. The library is extremely futuristic – however, its spacious, grand design still gives the cathedral-like effect which is inviting and welcoming.
