A
While it’s books that make alibrary, being in lovely surroundings mayprovide inspiration and help youwork alittle bitharder.Here are some of the coolestlibraries of the world.
Libraryof Birmingham–Birmingham,U.K.
ThenewLibraryof BirminghamissaidtobenotonlyBritain’sbiggestpubliclibrary,butalso the largestinEurope.DesignedbyDutcharchitects,thisreplacementfortheBirminghamCentralLibrarywas openedin2013andhasawealthofresourceswithinitswalls,includingadultsandkids’libraries,music collections,aShakespeare MemorialRoom,andeven agymroom. Gardenscrowntheroof,whilethe changing seasons bringvariations in the shadows and reflections inside.
NationalLibraryof France–Paris,France
TheNationalLibraryofFrance,whichnowcontainsan astonishingcollectionof30million,dates backtothe14thcenturyandthisroyallibrarywassetupattheLouvrebyKingCharles V. TheLibrary wasmovedtoRuedeRichelieusitein1868,withmajordesignworkcarriedoutbyFrencharchitectsHenri Labrousteand,followinghisdeath,Jean-LouisPascal.Here,thereadingroomsareeleganceitself.There are more than justbooks to be found.
StateLibraryof NewSouthWales–Sydney,Australia
ThepublicStateLibraryof NewSouth Walesholdsthehonorofbeingtheoldestinstitutionofits kindinAustralia.ItwasoriginallysetupastheAustralianSubscriptionLibraryin1826,butitwasn’tuntil
1942thatitspermanenthomewasready.DesignedbySydneyarchitectWalterLibertyVernonand completed in 1910, the magnificentsandstone MitchellWing is one of the architecturalhighlights.
SeattleCentralLibrary–Seattle, Washington,USA
SeattleCentralLibrary’sdistinctivedesignensuresitstandsout.ArchitectRemKoolhaasisoneof thenamesattachedtoitsdesign.Architectssoughttoenvelopthe11-storybuildingwith“alayerof transparency”,usingaskinofglassandmetal. Thefinishedarticlehousesabout1.45millionbooksand otherthings,aswellasmorethan400computersavailableforpublicuse.Thebuilding,whichopenedin
2004,wasincludedontheAmericanInstituteofArchitects’listofAmerica’s150favoritebuildingsin2007.
21.Which of the following library has the longesthistory?
A.Library ofBirmingham B.Seattle CentralLibrary
C.StateLibrary ofNewSouthWales D.NationalLibraryof France
22.Whatcan youdo inLibrary of Birmingham?
A.Take someexercise. B.Acta play.
C.Attend a concert. D.Enjoy newtechnology.
23.WhatdoNationalLibrary of France andSeattle CentralLibrary have in common?
A.They have computers available. B.Theywere moved to a newplace.
C.Theywere designed bymore than one person.
D.Theywonawards for architecture.
