One way to get a sense of a country’s cultural touchstones is to visit its libraries — both the famous and lesser-known ones. BY MARK DAPIN Some years ago I was at a conference of international thriller writers (no, I hadn’t known they were a thing either) when a fellow Australian author suggested we visit…
Category: US libraries
All the Will in the world: Four centuries of the First Folio (State Library of New South Wales)
The 1623 volume, Mr William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories & Tragedies, aka the ‘First Folio’, was 400 years old in 2023. Why is it so special? I should begin by putting all my cards on the table. I’m fascinated by Shakespeare and his books, including the First Folio. In the immediate pre-Covid years, I took my…
The Voynich Manuscript at the Beinecke Library, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
A Library Planet post by Stuart Kells The Beinecke Library at Yale is a marvel of library architecture and indeed of all forms of architecture. A temple of rare books, it was designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft of the firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Construction finished in 1963. The core of the library is a…
Seattle Public Library, Seattle, USA – Everybody is welcome!
Written by Hanna Marie Roseen For how to contribute to Library Planet look here: https://libraryplanetnet.wordpress.com/contribute/ I live in Seattle and this library is a well-frequented place of mine. It is located downtown and is easy to get to via light rail from my home and work. There are often events going on – I have…
Oceanic Free Library in Rumson, New Jersey, USA – a community hub
Written by Lindsey Hintelman, former OFL board secretary and the great-great-great-grandaughter of the buildings original owner For how to contribute to Library Planet look here: https://libraryplanetnet.wordpress.com/contribute/ The OFL has been a community hub for as long as I can remember. Every month two different local artists showcase their works. We have had numerous “gallery openings”…
Kailua – Kona Public Library, Kona Hawaii – ukuleles and information Ninjas
Written by Library Planet editor Marie Eiriksson, library consultant at Gladsaxe Public Libraries, Denmark. For how to contribute to Library Planet look here: https://libraryplanetnet.wordpress.com/contribute/ in april I had the very good fortune to be visiting friends just outside Kona, Hawaii. And of course I visited the library there. Kailua-Kona library is the second largest library on…
Worlds of Words, University of Arizona, USA – the largest collection of global children’s books in the United States!
Post written by: Judi Moreillon, Lacey Nehls, and Breanna Tsingine For how to contribute to Library Planet look here: https://libraryplanetnet.wordpress.com/contribute/ Credit: Line and Space, LLC Ron Marx and grandson snuggle up on one of the deep window seats, exploring books from the collection. The backdrop features the illustrations of David Christiana, which are present throughout…
Waikiki Kapahulu Library, Honolulu, Hawaii – a busy library is a good library
Written by Library Planet editor Marie Eiriksson, library consultant at Gladsaxe Public Libraries, Denmark. For how to contribute to Library Planet look here: https://libraryplanetnet.wordpress.com/contribute/ Just a short walk from Waikiki beach we found this little treasure. The day was very hot and the library trip was a welcome break from the midday sun for me and…
Hilo Public Library, Hawaii – a beautiful and historical place
Written by Library Planet editor Marie Eiriksson, library consultant at Gladsaxe Public Libraries, Denmark. For how to contribute to Library Planet look here: https://libraryplanetnet.wordpress.com/contribute/ This weekend I was in Hilo and of course had to visit the library. Hilo Public Library is the biggest library on the big Island of Hawaii. It opened on Jan. 20,…
Library Planet 