Brutalism

Exterior of a Brutalist library with a facade of large textured concrete panels between which are narrow vertical slit windows.

Killam Memorial Library, Dalhousie University

Dalhousie university's Killam library is a monolith of knowledge built to inspire stability at a time of rapid change.
Exterior of a modern library at nightfall. It is a rectangular building with a facade of thin concrete fins. The building is lit with a warm yellow light. There is snow on the ground.

Bibliothèque de l’Université Laval, Québec

Contrary to what it stern exterior may imply, Laval University main library in Québec City opened in 1968 as a future-ready flexible space.
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.
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.
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.
Hamilton Central Library

Hamilton Central Library

Browse for books and fresh vegetables at the Hamilton Central Library, where a recent renovation reconnected the library with the farmers market that occupies the same building.