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Beautiful Libraries Around the World
There are plenty of breathtaking places to visit in the world. There are natural wonders like the Grand Canyon or ancient ruins like the Colosseum(罗马斗兽场), or fantastic buildings with sky-high observation decks. But there are a few places, pretty much in every city, that you might not expect to take your breath away: libraries.
George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland
Part of Johns Hopkins University, this simple, five story library holds 300,000 volumes. Though it’s technically part of the college, any member of the public in Baltimore is free to use the library, since it’s namesake, George Peabody, was a famous philanthropist. The library is also located near the Baltimore Washington Monument in the Mount Vernon-Belvedere neighborhood.
Central Library of Vancouver, Canada
This famous library is actually modeled after the Roman Colosseum. It has nine floors and takes up an entire city block, so it’s not only a library with nine and a half million items (including books, e-books, CDs, DVDs, newspapers and magazines), but is also a complex with shops, cafés and offices. There’s even a rooftop garden that’s open to the public.
National Library of Brazil – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Approximately nine million items are contained in the National Library of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. Ranking seventh in size amongst all other libraries around the world, it features a 19th-century collection of tens of thousands of photographs that, due to their significance, are on the register of the UNESCO.
Joe and Rika Mansueto Library, University of Chicago – Chicago, Illinois, USA
The University of Chicago’s Joe and Rika Mansueto Library has been given the nickname “The Egg,” owing in part to its distinctive oval shape. Local architectural firm Murphy/Jahn came up with an innovative solution to fitting the library into an already crowded campus: it plunges 55 feet underground. Meanwhile, thanks to the domed transparent glass roof, light streams through to the reading room, yet solar heat and excessive UV rays are kept largely at bay.
21. Why is the George Peabody Library free to the public?
A. Because it is part of Johns Hopkins University.
B. Because it holds a large volume of books.
C. Because its founder is a philanthropist.
D. Because it is located near the Baltimore Washington Monument.
22. Which library features a large number of pictures?
A. George Peabody Library B. Central Library of Vancouver
C. National Library of Brazil D. Joe and Rika Mansueto Library
23. How did the architect fit a library into a crowded campus?
A. Set up a new library in the old buildings.
B. Build the library underground.
C. Build a library that only needs to accommodate a few people.
D. Add floors above the existing building.
