Oh, those are spectacular, Lisa! What a lovely detour. Of course, you'll find library fans in this crowd. When other kids were into rock n' roll heartthrobs, I was smitten with Jorge Luis Borges, the Argentine magical realist writer. It made me feel like such a grown-up. I could see myself sitting in a cafe with a stack of espresso cups by my side.
By the time I got to Stanford, I fell in love with the reading room at Green Library. I loved the high ceilings, creaking wooden chairs. Looking at photos today, there's really not much to it. California's 1960s attempt at the Old World, rendered in Oak. To me, it felt so important, and I suppose that's exactly what I needed at the time.
Wow! Stunning collection of library photos. I've visited some major ones: NYPL, Library of Congress, Bodleian at Oxford. There's a spot I enjoy working now at the library on Amherst College's campus, but it's a more modern building and the main highlights are a comfortable desk, old pictures of campus, and a view of the mountains.
This read like a tour of the temples to knowledge. My favorite libraries have been where I could get lost inside books and read for hours. The one I loved the most was the Lydon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin TX. I learned so much that surprised me about his life and presidency.
I fondly remember the stacks in the tower of the IU Library from my undergrad years. The smell of paper and the chill of metal shelves and cinderblock walls lol I have so many genealogy notes from that time that are moot now.
The Long Room at Trinity was a must-stop during my honeymoon. We actually waited in line to step into history for just a moment!
I’m lucky that my nearest research library is the Bodleian! But I also really appreciate the little public library at the end of my street, which has a children’s area full of picture books and comfortable child-sized seating. My granddaughter loves it.
And here’s a link to a piece I wrote about the national library of Slovenia.
Berlin is discussing moving it's main library into the now vacant Lafayette building in Friedrichstrasse. If they do that, I just hope I live long enough to see it finished and can use it, because that is an amazing location for a library!
I have a couple favorites. The Library of Parliment in Ottawa ranks way up on my list for its beauty and architecture. My favorite that I spent lots of time in was Rutherford Library at the University of Alberta. It was one of my favorite places to study, and my obscure studies had me spending time in the back stacks.
Lovely tour of these important institutions. Great to see Trinity and Marsh library listed. I have loved all the University libraries I have studied in in Ireland, it's a privilege to have access to them. I remember visiting the Bodleian on a trip to Oxford. With a name like Maguire you must have Irish ancestry. The name Maguire is common in the region I come from in Southern Ireland.
I enjoyed reading this as I sit in the London Library, a fabulous place with six storeys of open stacks, creaky leather chairs, peaceful reading rooms, little corners with desks where you can hide away. It's the place where I come to concentrate and get away from the modern world.
Oh, those are spectacular, Lisa! What a lovely detour. Of course, you'll find library fans in this crowd. When other kids were into rock n' roll heartthrobs, I was smitten with Jorge Luis Borges, the Argentine magical realist writer. It made me feel like such a grown-up. I could see myself sitting in a cafe with a stack of espresso cups by my side.
By the time I got to Stanford, I fell in love with the reading room at Green Library. I loved the high ceilings, creaking wooden chairs. Looking at photos today, there's really not much to it. California's 1960s attempt at the Old World, rendered in Oak. To me, it felt so important, and I suppose that's exactly what I needed at the time.
«Sigh, that was a fun romp. Thank you!»
Wow! Stunning collection of library photos. I've visited some major ones: NYPL, Library of Congress, Bodleian at Oxford. There's a spot I enjoy working now at the library on Amherst College's campus, but it's a more modern building and the main highlights are a comfortable desk, old pictures of campus, and a view of the mountains.
I liked the reading room at the Smith library. I loved curling up in the comfy chairs.
This read like a tour of the temples to knowledge. My favorite libraries have been where I could get lost inside books and read for hours. The one I loved the most was the Lydon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin TX. I learned so much that surprised me about his life and presidency.
I fondly remember the stacks in the tower of the IU Library from my undergrad years. The smell of paper and the chill of metal shelves and cinderblock walls lol I have so many genealogy notes from that time that are moot now.
The Long Room at Trinity was a must-stop during my honeymoon. We actually waited in line to step into history for just a moment!
I’m lucky that my nearest research library is the Bodleian! But I also really appreciate the little public library at the end of my street, which has a children’s area full of picture books and comfortable child-sized seating. My granddaughter loves it.
And here’s a link to a piece I wrote about the national library of Slovenia.
https://open.substack.com/pub/writingfamilyhistory/p/in-praise-of-libraries?r=30cqjp&utm_medium=ios
Berlin is discussing moving it's main library into the now vacant Lafayette building in Friedrichstrasse. If they do that, I just hope I live long enough to see it finished and can use it, because that is an amazing location for a library!
My Favourite Library has to be Trinity College in Dublin, I could spend a lifetime in there.
I’m swooning. Thanks for this lovely tour.
I have a couple favorites. The Library of Parliment in Ottawa ranks way up on my list for its beauty and architecture. My favorite that I spent lots of time in was Rutherford Library at the University of Alberta. It was one of my favorite places to study, and my obscure studies had me spending time in the back stacks.
In my many visits to Ottawa I am embarrassed to say I never went to this library!
Lovely tour of these important institutions. Great to see Trinity and Marsh library listed. I have loved all the University libraries I have studied in in Ireland, it's a privilege to have access to them. I remember visiting the Bodleian on a trip to Oxford. With a name like Maguire you must have Irish ancestry. The name Maguire is common in the region I come from in Southern Ireland.
My Maguires come from Omagh. Here is a story about my Maguire emigrant g-g-grandfather. It’s not the usual immigrant success story, sadly. https://ancestory.substack.com/p/montreal-1865-a-grocer-from-omagh
I enjoyed reading this as I sit in the London Library, a fabulous place with six storeys of open stacks, creaky leather chairs, peaceful reading rooms, little corners with desks where you can hide away. It's the place where I come to concentrate and get away from the modern world.