Public

A large historic building with arched windows and columns stands on a snowy street. Leafless trees line the sidewalk, and blue banners hang from the facade. Snow covers the ground and parts of the building.

Former Toronto Reference Library

When it opened in 1908, the Central Reference Library was among Toronto's first purpose-built library buildings.
A red sports car is parked in front of a symmetrical brick building with columns and arched architectural details on a cloudy day. The street and surrounding area are quiet.

Former Preston Carnegie Library, Cambridge ON

Now a private property, this former library is a fine example of rural Carnegie libraries of the early 20th century.
The entrance to a white building labeled Kantonsbibliothek with a wooden door under a portico. Bicycles are parked on either side of the entrance.

Kantonsbibliothek Thurgau

From classrooms to reading rooms: since 1912, the cantonal library in Frauenfeld occupies the former high school.
A large, light yellow and orange building with multiple floors stands at the center, featuring a courtyard with outdoor seating, umbrellas, and parked motorcycles; hills and clear sky are visible in the background.

La Filanda, Mendrisio

From silk spinners to cash registers to 3D printers, this Southern Switzerland landmark has been reinventing itself for 150 years.
Interior of a contemporary library with curved white balconies, large windows allowing natural light, multiple floors with bookshelves, and people reading or working at tables on the lower level.

Surrey City Centre Library

The futuristic Surrey City Centre Library was designed by Bing Thom Architects and completed in 2011 as part of an ambitious plan to revitalize the area.
An interior view of a large hall with a high arched brick ceiling, a chandelier, a circular balcony, striped flooring, display booths, and several red and white banners hanging from the balcony.

Bibliotheek Neude, Utrecht

A pivotal budget decision and growing awareness of adaptive reuse have transformed an architectural icon into a thriving public library.
Exterior of a small Neoclassical library. It is a symmetrical, single-story brick building. The entrance door is framed by a pediment supported by four columns on top of a flight of stairs. The words "Public Library, erected 1906" are engraved on the pediment. A fan window above the door bears the words "Yorkville branch, 22 Yorkville Avenue". In front of the library, a modern sign reads "tpl: Toronto Public Library". There is snow on the ground and the sky is overcast.

Yorkville Library, Toronto

This elegant Carnegie building is the oldest library in Toronto.
The image shows the modern Library of Birmingham with a gold-topped upper floor and decorative circular metalwork on its facade. People are gathered outside and on the entrance plaza under a partly cloudy sky.

The Library of Birmingham

The Library of Birmingham's intricate facade aims to keep it visually striking and avoid the fate of its predecessor, a Brutalist icon since demolished.
Interior of a contemporary library with white walls. A person walks up a staircase on the left, while another stands by a railing on the upper level. The lower level has boxes of CDs and DVDs. Light comes from a square window high up the wall.

Stadtbibliothek Heidenheim

In shape and function, this library acts as a force of cohesion.
A 1980s, multi-story building with gabled roofs and large windows is situated on a corner. It features a cylindrical glass stairwell on the right. The foreground includes a cobblestone area with bike racks, signs, and street lamps. Clear blue sky above.

Stadtbibliothek Aalen

The intriguing and complex shapes of the Torhaus in Aalen house a bright and efficient library.
Interior of a library in a converted industrial building with exposed brick walls. A central information desk is staffed by a person. Shelves filled with books surround the area. A display with pamphlets is on the right.

Bibliotheek Oog in Al, Utrecht

Through fire and pestilence, from farmer cooperative pride to beloved community centre, the history of the Cereolfabriek is far from over.
A courtyard with a large, three-story industrial-style building in the background with a facade of brick and glazing. The courtyard is paved with concrete tiles, and a blue, tube-like structure is placed in the centre. The sky is clear and sunny.

Tweebronnen Library, Leuven

The transformation of this former technical school by one of the early masters of Modernism questions the balance between preservation and reuse.
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