Know what I love even more than South American mobile libraries? Repurposed buildings. (Well, I love repurposed anything, to be honest.) So when Molly over at bookhopping posted a link to a slideshow of LIBRARIES BUILT IN REPURPOSED STRUCTURES I nearly popped with excitement. And then I followed said link and became downright giddy. Old structures transformed into libraries? Sign me up!
So naturally I have to showcase one of these libraries for this week’s Library Love. I fell in love with all them, but since I’m a sucker for curved staircases, I fell particularly hard for the Central Library in Cape Town, South Africa. Check it out:
High ceilings, open spaces, curved staircases, and books, books, books. Think they’d notice if I moved in?
Previously located in City Hall, the Central Library moved into the Old Drill Hall in 2008. Funds for the library’s move and the renovation of the Old Drill Hall came from the city and a $2 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation. The library has meeting rooms, a bookshop, study areas, regular children’s and adult programs, and free internet and wi-fi. They also have an extensive collection of books, including a “Professional Children’s Collection” for research purposes (okay, now I’m really moving in) and reading material in all eleven (eleven!) official languages. The library is the largest one in the Cape Town area and gets close to 70,000 users a month.
Well, I’m sold. Anyone else want to go to Cape Town with me?
Three hearty cheers for the Central Library!
Sources: Cape Town Magazine, City of Cape Town, more City of Cape Town, Flavorwire
Photo credit: A special thanks to Mary for sharing her photos! Be sure to check out her blog post about her visit to Central Library. (And yes, I am bright green with envy over here.)
Read the Library Love Fine Print here.
That is SERIOUSLY gorgeous!
I know! I love it
Yes! I want to go to Cape Town with you!
Awesome! Pack your bags!