Libraries

My interest in library architecture started as I was involved in the planning for a new library building. Looking for inspiration, I started researching and then visiting other libraries that were moving into new spaces or undergoing a revitalization. I often photographed details that struck my interest, and gradually became fascinated with the unique visuals offered by all libraries, big and small.

To this day, I make a point of visiting as many libraries as I can when traveling, and often plan my trips around buildings I’m interested in visiting and photographing.

Latest posts

To date, I have visited more than 300 libraries for this project. I have started collecting some of my favourite examples of library architecture on these pages. Many more can be found on my Flickr,  Instagram or Mastodon feeds.

This is a work in progress, and I will keep updating this site as I learn more about the libraries I have visited. A selection of recently updated posts can be seen below, or you can view the whole list here. I also have a page dedicated to adaptive reuse library projects.

Happy exploring!

Exterior view of a brick chapel converted to a library. It is a tall, narrow neo-gothic building, with a rose window on top of a vaulted door. A sideways sign bearing the word "Médiathèque" is affixed to the facade.

Médiathèque de Cassel

The award-winning conversion of this 19th century boarding school chapel in Flanders is worth a walk up the hill.
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Interior view of a modern library. On the left is a large black glass box filled with rare books that glow in a warm light. A staircase with people moving on it is seen in the middle. In the front is a seating area with small cafe-like tables and people working on laptops.

The British Library

The many decades separating first designs with the finished British Library allowed for a marvellous change in circumstances at the heart of the project.
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Exterior view of a Jugendstil subway stop marked Burggasse and surrounded by commuters. Behind the station is a contemporary glass and orange cladding building composed of two symmetrical shapes separated by a narrow space.

Hauptbücherei Wien

Ideally connected to public transit, forward-looking while respecting its heritage and reaching across class divides, the Vienna main library perfectly represents the city.
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Exterior view of a brick and concrete brutalist library, showing a variety of shapes and forms. A person walks on a sidewalk in front.

Robert H. Goddard Library, Clark University, Worcester MA

Named after a rocket scientist and prefiguring the architectural trends of the future, the Robert H. Goddard Library truly is a building for the Space Age.
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Interior of a brutalist library atrium, with cascading terraces lined with planters, in which lush green interior plants grow. Students are working at cubicles. Boxy staircases lead from one level to another. A person stands on top of the topmost staircase and looks at the atrium below.

Scott Library, York University, Toronto

Built on a field and filled with rare books bought by the truckload, the quick rise of the Scott library is emblematic of the 1960-70s higher education boom.
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Wide-angle interior shot of a brutalist library. It shows a large atrium with waffle ceiling, three levels of bookshelves stepping down to a floor filled with long tables with computer monitors.

SOAS Library, London

The SOAS library in central London is a remarkable example of post-war British library design.
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More…

Bucket list

The map below is my attempt to keep track of all the libraries I’ve been to (green and blue markers) and the ones I would like to visit one day (red markers). It is very unlikely.

If you know a library that should be on this list, let me know!

Test your knowledge

If you like the GeoGuessr game, try out my maps!

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