Seattle Public Library.jpg 501×417 pixels
Libraries are by far one of my favorite places to be. The handful that I’ve spent time at in L.A. are great: quaint neighborhood libraries that are generally quiet and well appointed (with books and laptop-friendly accoutrements).
Of course, the various libraries at the University of Virginia are dear as well (especially the Alderman stacks and Brown).
I bring all this up because I just read a great architectural photo essay in Slate that discusses the evolution of urban libraries and their potential future function.
The main Seattle public library (pictured above), designed by Rem Koolhaus, was enjoyable, although I did miss the peace of a grandiose reading room. (Although that’s easy to forgive because the stacks there are huge, unattended, and extremely quiet ;-)
