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While it's the books that make a library, being in lovely surroundings may provide inspiration and help you to work a little bit harder. Here are some of the coolest libraries of the world.
The Library of Birmingham - Birmingham, U. K.
The new Library of Birmingham is said to be not only Britain's biggest public library, but also the largest in Europe. Designed by Dutch architects, this replacement for the Birmingham Central Library was opened in 2013 and has a wealth of resources within its walls, including adult and kids' libraries, music collections, a Shakespeare Memorial Room, and even a gym. Gardens crown the roof, while the changing seasons bring variations in the shadows and reflections inside.
The National Library of France Paris, France
The National Library of France, which now contains an astonishing collection of 30 million, dates back to the14th century and this royal library was set up at the Louvre Palace by King Charles v. The library was moved to Rue de Richelieu in 1868, with major design work carried out by French architects Henri Labrouste and, following his death. Jean Louis Pascal. Here, the reading rooms are elegance themselves. There are more than just books to be found.
The State Library of New South Wales -----Sydney, Australia
The public State Library of New South Wales holds the honor of being the oldest institution of its kind in Australia. It was originally set up as the Australian Subscription Library in 1826£¬but it wasn't until 1942 that its permanent home was ready. Designed by Sydney architect Walter Liberty Vernon and completed in 1910, the magnificent sand-stone Mitchell Wing is one of the architectural highlights.
Seattle Central Library---Seattle, Washington, USA
Seattle Central Library's distinctive design ensures it stands out. Architect Rem Koolhaas is one of the names attached to its design. Architects sought to envelop the 11-storybuilding with “a layer of transparency”, using a skin of glass and metal. The public library houses about 1. 45million books and other things, as well as more than 400 computers available for public use. The building, which opened in2004, was included on the American Institute of Architects' list of Americans' 150 favorite structures in 2007.
21. Which of the following libraries has the longest history?
A. The Library of Birmingham.
B. The National Library of France.
C. The State Library of New South Wales.
D. Seattle Central Library.
22. What can you do in the Library of Birmingham?
A. Attend a concert.          B. Act in a play.
C. Take some exercise.        D. Enjoy new technology.
23. What do the National Library of France and Seattle Central Library have in common?
A. They have computers available.
B. They were moved to a new place.
C. They won awards for architecture.
D. They were designed by more than one person.