From an early-14th-century reading room in the Sorbonne to an ultra-modern library at the University of Chicago, AD surveys the most stunning university libraries around the world
Stained glass windows, iron-wrought shelves and marble tiles—these gorgeous college libraries have it all. Did your alma mater make the cut?
Library collections are constantly growing. Implement library shelving or take a look at our other library storage solutions, so you can grow with your collection.
Explore jbuddenh's 5399 photos on Flickr!
The Bodleian Library at Oxford University is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and has parts that date back to 1487. It is the main research library of the University of Oxford and holds over 12 million items, occupying five buildings.
Image 32 of 38 from gallery of New Library at the University of Bedfordshire / MCW Architects. Third floor plan
Channel your inner Belle while you cram.
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These 16 amazing libraries are full of beautiful interiors — and books — to check out.
Yale University's Sterling Memorial Library
Though they are losing ground to the e-book and the audiobook, public libraries were once central hubs of human intellectual progress. There's something about them that still attracts people, however – whether it's their magnificent historical buildings or the unmistakable smell of old books and dust, scholars and bookworms alike still enjoy perusing their hoards of literary treasures.
Image 4 of 53 from gallery of Library Renovation in Nanjing Normal University / DUTS design. Photograph by Qingshan Wu
Refurbishment of the Grade II listed library at Exeter College, University of Oxford. Designed by Nex.
London-based architecture practice Wright & Wright revamps the Oxford University's Magdalen College library.
Yonsei University Yonsei Crest Yonsei University's history dates back to 1885 with the founding of the first modern hospital in Korea, Kwanghyewon, and it is still closely tied to Medicine through the new Severance Hospital located close to campus. This campus is located virtually on top of a large traffic interchange and the main route into campus is much busier due to a large road running through the centre with a constant stream of traffic. Although I managed to take a picture without a vehicle in sight, unlike me capturing the van in front of the library entrance in the previous post!! The buildings on this campus are many and varied each with an individual style and design. The students also have a different style..... Jeans, sneakers and american style jackets, but still neat and smart, and sorry Tess, I didn't get a chance to speak to them!! The post yesterday concentrated on the U-Lounge, but I mentioned that the students need to both check into the library and check out. One of the 4 Library entrances This is because YUL also has a system where the students need to book their study space in advance using one of the many kiosks located around the building. Many of these spaces are available 24/7 Study space booking kiosk YUL has a total of 6,000 study spaces with the majority being located within the Samsung Library facility. The spaces are located over 5 floors within the building and range from individual study areas to group and collaborative spaces, with or without technology. One the first two floors of the Samsung Library, there is a staircase cutting the space in half, but the same facilities can be found either side of the staircase. View from the Multi Media Floor The stepped arrangement of the floors creates natural separation between the activities and also provides good views of the various activities. We can see a combination of PC cluster pods, laptop working benches, individual study carrels and hidden away under the floor plate to the left, some group working pods. Group Study Pod These pods are in fact a figure of 8 shape with 2 study areas, the one we can see here can take groups of up to 8 students and the smaller pod behind can accommodate 4 students. They are sufficiently obscured to facilitate private study, but it is possible to see that the are occupied and being used appropriately. Study pod facilities The pods have a table with access to power and data, a Pc is provided with a screen and on the wall is a glass writing board. Outside the pods, the view is of the other facilities below, View of PC clusters and Laptop benches from pod level Another view down the levels The PC Cluster units are really nicely designed, plenty of room for one person, PC tucked neatly underneath and the grey top is actually ventilation for the PCs. View of set up The next floor is dedicated to multimedia facilities providing the whole range of playback and editing facilities. Viewing station for one, the umbrella turned out to b a key piece of equipment that day Also provided are viewing stations for two students Full editing facilities available Studio, staff are on hand to provide support and training Studio Gallery In addition to the general facilities, there is a small film viewing theatre which can be booked, but also where films are shown on several days of the week. The Librarians choose the films, and the students simply turn up. Film Theatre, capacity 40 In addition to student facilities, the Librarians have their own training room for delivering training on library systems etc. The PCs in this training room are located under the desk and the monitor drops into the table top This multimedia lectern has a clever sliding top, here open, and here closed The final floor to see was the Information commons. This floor is separated into three sections, the two outer sections fitted with traditional study carrels, and the middle section with standard study tables. Study carrels There are 1,000 study spaces on this floor over the three sections Space identification Each space has it's own unique number so that it can be booked through the Library booking system. Students can only make a booking once they have checked into the library. If they leave the library before their booking ends, the system will know and after one hour, will cancel any remaining time so the space can be reassigned Study Tables with access to power and data Power and data delivery system within the table This is a large facility catering for a large number of students, not only giving the students plenty of space, but also giving them many options for them to choose the space that best serves their needs at the time. The Library was busy during my visit, but it didn't feel "crowded". Also, the noise level in such an open facility was very low, the students were concentrating on study, but most of them were working as individuals, with group work assigned to the group study pods. Notwithstanding the space available to it to support the students, the Library has built in expansion space. Below the library is a 4 storey underground car park. Two of these floors have been built to facilitate future use as library/bookstack space in the future.
From an early-14th-century reading room in the Sorbonne to an ultra-modern library at the University of Chicago, AD surveys the most stunning university libraries around the world
Image 4 of 18 from gallery of Aalto University Library - Harald Herlin Learning Centre / JKMM + Architect NRT ltd. Photograph by Tuomas Uusheimon
Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto.
Another photo from my shoot at the University of Washington's Suzzallo library. For more of my work check out: www.mikefiechtner.com Blog updates Mike Fiechtner Photography on Facebook
Image 4 of 38 from gallery of New Library at the University of Bedfordshire / MCW Architects. Photograph by Jim Stephenson
Image 49 of 61 from gallery of 12 Projects Win 2017 AIA Education Facility Design Awards. Photograph by Christian Columbres
Here's a look at the best things to do in New York City, from taking in a Broadway show to visiting some of the world's best museums and restaurants.
3XN won the the architectural competition for a new educational building for Mälardalen University - a university college in Eskilstuna southwest of Stockholm.
