The top libraries in the world? Probably…

What’s the best library in the world? Here are my top three inspirational places. What’s your view?

Number one: the British Library.

Where: London, UK. A mere five minutes’ walk from the revamped St Pancras International station.

When: as a rough guide, everything is open 10am-5pm. Best to check the website for up-to-date opening times on Exhibitions/Galleries/Shop and Reading Rooms’ hours, as times do vary slightly.

Why: the British library receives a copy of every publication produced in the UK and Ireland – 3 million new items are added every year. The library keeps manuscripts, maps, newspapers, magazines, prints, drawings, music scores, patents and even stamps. Incredibly, the library is growing by 12 km every year simply due to new stock! Nearly 400,000 people use the Reading Rooms annually.

Vital stats: 14 million books (that’s almost one per four people of the UK population); 920,000 journal and newspaper titles; 58 million patents; 3 million sound recordings.

What makes it hot: as well as housing the biggest collection of material in the UK, including treasures such as the original Magna Carta, Lindisfarne Gospels, a da Vinci notebook and the Beatles’ manuscripts, the British Library runs a creative programme of public events, drawing from its impressive collection in imaginative and unusual ways. Their events never disappoint. You can also walk to lunch at the British Museum nearby.

Check the website for online galleries, images, information, what’s on, email newsletters and shop. www.bl.uk

Number two: Picture Book Art Museum / 絵本美術館　まどのそとのそのまたむこう

Where:  Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The Picture Book Art Museum houses a private picture-book collection belonging to the preschool that owns the museum. General public can apply to visit on weekday afternoons.

When: Designed by renowned Japanese architect, Tadao Ando, the concete and glass building opened in 2005. There are spectacular panoramic views of the Pacific ocean from almost anywhere in the library. A 1,500 picture-book wall and a cushioned loft space are also attractions.

Why: A library dedicated to picture books for children in a beautiful natural setting – it sits on a hilltop near a lighthouse! The museum was the dream of one Japanese teacher.

Vital stats:  Books are arranged by theme – eg ‘dog’, ‘cat’, ‘Christmas’, ‘Winter’. The collection includes both Japanese and foreign books, as well as older books and a heritage copy of Aesop’s fables. There are multiple copies of books for children to share and enjoy. Views of the ocean include passing shipping. Bookstore.

What makes it hot: A library full of pictures books! Plus, the emphasis on visual brilliance extends well into the fabric of the building. Sort of like reading on the beach, but peacefully.

“In this library bright colours and funny forms surround you everywhere. An atmosphere of playfulness, not awe or indoctrination, is the hallmark of this new paradigm of educational facility; it is new in content and new in outer form”, sums up one rapt reviewer in East-Asia Architecture (scroll to 2006 April ‘Paradigm Shift in Education’ for pics and descrips).

Google  絵本美術館　まどのそとのそのまたむこう for more info.

Number three: The Royal Library, Denmark, notably the ‘Black Diamond‘.

Where: by the waterfront, Copenhagen, Denmark.

When: The Royal Library has facilities for the public at four locations across Copenhagen. Opening hours vary depending on what’s on offer. It’s best to check the website before you go or use the beguilingly simple ‘Ask the library‘ service.

Why: Cutting-edge design by Danish architects, Schmidt Hammer Lassen, gives this library extension its unique aesthetic. The ‘Black Diamond’ refers to an outside cover of black granite and its form of two cubes. The distinctive outer shape is a taste of things to come, with intriguing inner spaces and walkways. This is traditional library meets high-class art gallery and concert hall.

Vital stats: The Royal Library is the national library of Denmark. It contains the first Danish book, printed in 1482. King Frederik III, who started with a collection of European works, founded the library in 1648.  Local boys Soren Kerkegaard and Hans Christian Anderson are rightly honoured.

What makes it hot: The suave architecture is a visual clue to the library’s sophisticated contents. A programme of literary dialogues takes place within the Black Diamond on a bespoke ‘International Author’s Stage‘. The programme features some of the best and up-and-coming global writing talent in conversation. 2009 highlights include Gunter Grass, Salman Rushdie, Ben Okri, Julia Franck and Alaa al-Aswany. There’s also an exhibition programme. Like going to the Tate plus reading.

Just missing the top three:

Cerritos, the ‘Experience Library’, California USA, houses ‘Stan‘, a 40-foot long 12-foot high Tyrannosaurus rex replica. There’re also a 15,000- gallon saltwater aquarium, plus large Banyan tree and a Skydome that cycles through day/night every 20 minutes. Laptop stations (i.e. take your own) plus wireless headsets make this place user-friendly and there’s an energetic programme for teens. It’s Rainforest cafe meets literature.

Supported by Writing East Midlands

Have you visted any of the libraries above? Have I missed out your favourite? What do you think? Feel free to add your comments!