have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with the ceiling of the NYPL Rose Reading Room

the restoration is almost finished. check out more pics.

five living presidents

i see you

nErD aLeRt!

beautiful library ribbons by norwegian firm, helen & hard.

nErD aLeRt!

i kind of love this library made of empty bookshelves.

library porn!

The Old Library, Handelingenkamer Tweede Kamer Der Staten-Generaal Den Hague, Netherlands

The official reporters of the Parliamentary Reporting Office record the proceedings and debates in parliament verbatim. Volumes of these verbatim reports (Handelingen) are stored in this library. When it was built at the end of the 19th century, there was no electricity—combustible substances, such as candles and gas lamps, had to be kept away from the more than 100,000 volumes. The roof was constructed as a leaded glass dome to allow as much light in as possible. (via)

nerd alert

coming soon (though probably after i move somewhere else) to across the street from my apartment. this steven holl designed liBEARy will rise in queens next year. i live in the building abstracted in gray blocks on the right in the background. nytimes has the info and nicholai ouroussoff tries to be important.

upside down library cafe

graphics and printed carpet tiles and some smart furniture choices combine to create this stunning effect. via.

aren't libraries the best?

fact: everyone loves a good library. i dont have to tell you that. today, the huffington post has compiled a pretty cool slideshow of library spaces around the world, old and new. you can rate them, too. so it's interactive!!

that reminded me that during a recent stroll, john and i stopped in the brooklyn historical society to check 'er out, and were pleasantly surprised to find this little gem, the othmer library.

what's that? you were wondering what my favorite library is? oh, well, that's pretty easy. it's the delft university library by mecanoo, in the netherlands!

what's your favorite?