Northwest Regional Library

It's been quite some time since I highlighted a library, and I've been remiss in showing my new local library.  Since I use this delight quite frequently, I thought I'd get around to sharing the local love. 

Coming from a place where the local libraries were NOT a branch of a bigger system, this county-wide library system was new to me.  And I have to admit, I kind of like it!  Not only does it make the selection much wider, but it also allows for more copies of books and (hopefully) shorter hold list waits!  Without further ado, here's a glimpse at the new local, the Northwest Regional Library:

(all of the photos are from the Northwest Regional Library page of the Maricopa County Library District website)

This is the front of the building, definitely has a southwest flavor to it.  I love the mural, even though most of the time when I come, I don't even give it a second glance.

This is the detail from the mural, which was done by a local artist (Niki Glen).

This is the clock tower, though to be honest, I don't think I've ever even noticed this. Gotta open my eyes a bit more.

This, I have seen.  It's pretty cool actually, a sculpture of a tree, called "The Reading Tree" and it's really beautiful.  Done by another local artist Joe Tyler. 

I didn't take any photos of the inside either, but it's got LOTS of computers and even a (small-ish) teen section, which I feel free to browse (though not too often, as that would explode the TBR pile).

Is your local library part of a bigger system or is it a stand alone?  Which do you prefer?

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Celebrating Libraries and Reading!

It's National Library Week...and I've got no planned celebrations.  Boo.  But, I thought I'd tell everyone to head out to a library this week.  Appreciate the services offered by them (and, you know, the librarians, cause they are awesome too :).

If you're looking to find out what great libraries are near you, check out these links from Find the Data to find and compare local public or academic libraries.  It's kind of fun to look at stats of the libraries nearest you.

Anywho, get out and celebrate libraries and reading, because it's Support Teen Literature Day today!  So if you want to Rock the Drop (ie leave a book lying around for someone else to enjoy) please do!  I think I'll take a few ARCs and leave them around my town for someone to discover.  Lots of great things to celebrate this week!  (And I have a giveaway coming up later today - be sure to come by later to find out more.) 

What do you plan to do to celebrate National Library Week or Teen Literature Day?

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Phoenix Public Library: Burton Barr Central Library

Since my last two libraries around the world posts were about my former local libraries, I figured it was about time to showcase a library closer to my new home! I got to visit the Burton Barr Central Library, which is the main library of the Phoenix Public Library system.  I went there to get my Inheritance Cycle books signed by Christopher Paolini, but the building itself is such a beautiful one that I had to show you all. 

Here's a view from the inside looking out through the huge windows:

And a view of the crowd gathered for the signing - taken from the great glass elevator (it had to be said).

I loved this display of some art from Eric Carle, even though the lighting made it impossible to get a good photo (not to mention, I was taking photos on my phone).

I've noticed that glass elevators tend to be very popular in libraries.  It makes for an interesting view on the way up and down.  (There is also a pool at the base of the elevators, but my photo of it was really bad.  Just know, it was cool.)

The interesting shade sails on the outside - they certainly make for some great photos, inside and out.

I love libraries anyway, but housing all that book-ish goodness inside a soaring gorgeous structure just makes it more enjoyable.

Want to brag on your own local libraries?

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Provo City Library: More (No Longer) Local Love

It's now been almost six months since we left behind this library, but I thought it was still appropriate to honor the Provo City Library in a Libraries Around the World post. 

This is a shot of the front of the building.  This library is kind of unique, because it was placed in the remodeled Brigham Young Academy building.

The library itself occupies only about half of the building, though, and the other half includes offices and rooms for events and receptions (including a gorgeous ballroom where I attended several author events).  In fact, all of the photos I took are of the non-library part, but many library events take place in this other part, so I figured it was ok.

 

A lovely staircase leading to the ballroom and other rooms for events.

I love this little hallway - the ceiling is made of glass so the sun shines through and makes it bright and happy.  On the other side of the stained glass window is the upper floor of the library.

This library, though fairly new (I think 2001), has a fantastic number (and caliber) of authors that visit every year. They also host the wonderful children's book festival and teen book fest every year with loads of local authors and activities.  As you can see, it is a perfect example of a community-centered library.  And oh, how I miss it!

Do you have a fabulous community-building library?

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Some Local Library Love: Orem Public Library

Well, as some of you may know (I haven't mentioned it in, like two days) I moved recently.  I grew up in Utah and I couldn't leave my home town without giving a shout out, with my Libraries Around the World feature, to my childhood library.  This is the place where I grew up on words.  These are the stacks where I checked out every Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley Twins, Boxcar Children, and Babysitters Club book religiously.  My love for libraries was born and raised in the walls of this place.  It fed the fires of my book-lust and also, in later years, the fires in my pockets when I got a job there as a page.  But enough of the ridiculously overblown praise.  I took a few photos of this nostalgic building before we left.  It didn't always look like this, having received a few make-overs in the years since I caressed Nancy's yellow bindings (well, sometimes they were more of a grayish brown...).  But it will always hold a special place in my heart.  Or something like that (oh the cheese in this post is simply delicious).  I introduce you to the unimposing, but well-beloved Orem Public Library.

Many a time I remember running up those spiral stairs. It was like being in a book. A book with a castle and a fabulous collection of kids reading material.

Speaking of straight from a book, these windows are one of my favorite things. Done by a local artist, they span one entire wall near the collection of fairy tales (which, by the way, is quite extensive). They were not there for my early years, but I remember when they were put in. At least, I remember being completely jealous that one of my friends was a model for one of the characters in the window. Details, details.

And here's a close-up of one part. Not a very interesting part, but my hubby took the photo, so blame him. It's not even the part that my friend modeled for. Still, love these windows. And love this library.

What memories do you have of your "first" library?

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Salt Lake City Public Library

I got the chance to visit a more local, but still amazing library!  I love doing these libraries around the world posts, because it's fun to see so many beautiful buildings that house my life (ie: books).  I visited the main Salt Lake City public library a few months ago and was just amazed by the place.  Not only is it designed to look awesome from any angle, but it houses a fantastic collection as well.  Worth a visit if you're ever in the area.

This is the outside courtyard in front of the building. I imagine in the summer, the shops are filled with vendors.  Personally, I think an ice cream shop would do a great business there!

Here's a view of the front.  I love how it is all curves and glass.  On a sunny day, the reflection must be glaring (and amazing) if you're standing in the right spot.

Here we're looking at the main entrance.  I love how it feels asymmetrical!  

Looking back at that curving front, just before you enter the building.  So cool!

Right inside the doors, this little atrium greets you.  It feels so light and airy, I just love it!

 

My husband and I got a huge kick out of riding in the elevator with its glass panels. Made me think of Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. Here's the view from the top looking down.

I just loved this list of some of amazing libraries around the world.  Interestingly enough, I've visited three of the fifteen and highlighted all three in Libraries Around the World posts!  Can you guess which three?

I've decided that before I move (in like, a month) I must highlight my own lovely local libraries - especially because of the huge part they played in my own childhood and young adult life.  Watch for that!

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Seattle Public Library

I haven't posted about a library from around the world in forever (probably because I haven't visited any but my local ones in a while).  But, luckily, I got to visit the Seattle Public Library while I was there over Christmas break. 

What a gorgeous and unique building!  I wish I'd had lots more time to walk around their collection, but we had limited change for the parking.  What we did see was absolutely fabulous.

I had a devil of a time getting a shot of the whole building from the outside (it's pretty tightly wedged among much taller buildings).

The entrance area is totally beautiful.  These are some of my favorite photos:

Especially this one.

I didn't take very many photos from inside, though.  I lack the talent to take interesting photos of metal shelves and people enjoying the collections.  And there were LOTS of people enjoying them!  The children's collection really blew me away - it was huge and there were so many interesting displays.  

Here's a view from the top floor:

More of the same:

Indoor shot of lower levels:

Here's hoping I get to visit more libraries soon!  

Do you have a favorite library building (aside from your local ones which provide such fabulous services)?

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National Library Week!!!

I cannot believe I wasn't on top of it enough this year to remember about National Library Week! (Possibly because it coincides with finals week at my college library.)  I've been seeing lovely posts around other (more on top of it) librarians' blogs and feeling silly for not saying anything.  (Check out Bookworming in the 21st Century, GreenBeanTeenQueen, Abby (the) Librarian, and The Neverending Bookshelf for some.)

The small library where I work is not terribly thrilling to write about, and isn't really a place of community, since only the students attending the private college use it.  But, as you might have noticed by my library loot posts, I frequent two local public libraries often (I also used to work at both of them).  I was very inspired by Kate of The Neverending Bookshelf's challenge to celebrate libraries!  Here's part of what she has to say:

As part of National Library Week, I wanted to do something to give back. So I am issuing a challenge to everyone! There are two parts to this challenge. You can take on one or both... the choice is yours.

Part 1:
For every comment that this post receives, I will be donating a 1/4 of a book to my local library. This means that for every 4 comments, my library will be getting a book off my shelves. Please limit the comments to something relevant to this post. You can give us tips on how you can support your local library... Tell us what makes your library special... Etc.

Part 2:
Create a post about the challenge. You can telling us about your local library, tips on how you can make your library [better], etc. and then pass this challenge along to your readers. You can keep the stakes the same, make them less, or even up them...the choice is yours.

What a fantastic idea! Since I am starting this challenge a little late, I will donate 1/4 book (or more if I don't get very many) per comment on this and any subsequent posts for a week, ending next Thursday, April 22. I hope that I can help out both of my local public libraries in this small way!

If you do nothing more than visit a library this week, take the time to thank a librarian (or really, anyone who works or volunteers there).  It always makes me smile when a student appreciates what I do!

What do you appreciate about your library or your librarians?

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Kralice Bible Museum

The last bookish place we visited in the Czech Republic was the Kralice Bible Museum.

It was here that a secret printing press was used to create the first Czech translation of the Bible, known as the Bible of Krelice (pronounced, I think, kruh-leets-uh). The Bibles on display date mostly from the 16th and 17th centuries.

They also have a working replica of the printing press used there and some other religious volumes from the same time period.

Hymnals




I really loved the beautiful works of art books used to be (instead of just pages of words, which, obviously, I still love)




click to enlarge (you won't be sorry)

Sigh. I need to find more places like this to visit. Though, perhaps a little closer to home.

Strahov Monastery Library

The next beautiful library on my list of Libraries To See is found in the Strahov Monastery. The library is not quite as old as the Klementinum, but did have the advantage of allowing no-flash photography. In order to make up for all the lost photos from Klementinum, I may have overdone it on this one :)

The outside of the library


The older hall - the Theological Hall - obviously houses a collection of theological literature. They have some very old manuscripts, one of which dates from about the 9th century!


View of the ceiling in the Theological Hall - really, how do you concentrate on reading in such a richly decorated room? Unless you happen to be studying something like this:


Some of the gorgeous illuminated manuscripts from the 15th and 16th century


Connecting the two halls they have a corridor of old books - legal, medical, and pharmaceutical literature. Not to mention gorgeous cabinets and bookshelves stuffed with old books.




This cabinet has a collection of books about trees and the spine on each one contains a sample of the bark of the tree. Very cool!



And at the other end of the corridor, we have:

the Philosophical Hall (which was unfortunately being renovated in some way - not as cool with people and construction stuff inside)

I did manage to buy a booklet, several postcards, and some posters of these halls, so I will have to scan one of those so you can see what the Philosophical Hall looks like normally.

What I found so interesting about the Philosophical Hall was the story of the abbot who built this hall in the 18th century. He didn't have the funds for bookshelves, but ended up buying them from another monastery. When they got them back home, they didn't fit. Instead of adjusting the cabinets to fit the existing library, he redid the library to fit the cabinets. An interesting but pricey choice I could consider for my own bookshelf issues.