The Minneapolis Public Library‘s new central branch is not only beautiful and light-filled, it is also clearly thriving. The constant flux of people flowing in and out of the library at midday on a Friday was way beyond any additional traffic attributed to PLA attendees. I’ll let the photos tell the story.
A prime example of a thriving library.
That’s gorgeous.
During Nancy Pearl’s virtual session she was asked if she liked the new Seattle Library. She said it was too cold for her, but that she did like some larger modern libraries including the new Minneapolis library. Seeing these photos it’s easy to see why.
I happen to like the Seattle Public Library’s central building. Its glass skin is similar to the MPL in the way it floods the space with light and blurs the boundary between inside and outside. But I also agree with Nancy Pearl that the interior has a predominantly cold and industrial feel to it. I would love to add some warmth and intimacy with just a bit of interior decoration. I’m sure Koolhaas would cringe at the thought.