Library 1.0 redux - More Libraries to Die For!
A while back (Aug 1, 2007), I wrote a post called Library 1.0: Old School Libraries to Die For about a site called Hot Library Smut (smut for book nerds :)) that showed pictures of some of the most beautiful libraries in the world, from a gorgeous book of photographs by Candida Höfer titled, Libraries, a title which pretty much says it all, because that is just exactly what it is, one rich, sumptuous, photo of a library interior after another. But shortly after I wrote the post, the page became unavailable on that site. So I updated it and pointed to another site, but it was unwieldy to view.
Well, I was doing my usual web browsing and what did I find but another post called Librophiliac Love Letter: A Compendium of Beautiful Libraries. They had visited the Strahov Monastery in Prague where they have one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Here are a couple of pictures from that library:
And as a result of that visit, they compiled and posted a very large set of pictures of some of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
And you might be surprised to find some them nearer to you than you might expect!
Again, you can view them at Librophiliac Love Letter: A Compendium of Beautiful Libraries. This is a good quote from their post about the book that many of these pictures came from and other resources including an online store to satisfy your library desires:
“If all this library leering has made you long to hold a book in your hands, then let us suggest “Libraries” by the outstanding photographer Candida Höfer. A number of the more beautiful pictures in this set are by Ms. Höfer. For those looking for a gorgeous library closer to home, look no farther then “Libraries We Love” a book and blog dedicated to wonderful libraries in the U.S. Also of interest is “The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World.” If even those can’t satisfy your desires try “The Renaissance Library Collection” which sells calenders, greeting cards, and posters of nothing but, yes, libraries. ”
For your viewing pleasure,
~Susan Mellott
