The Most Innovative Libraries Around the World创意图书馆世界之最

劳拉·鲍尔斯 译/毛思玉

Some libraries use unique architecture to encourage visitors to explore the racks and settle down with a new book， or use roving libraries to bring books to hard-to-reach populations. No matter how they achieve it， these novel libraries are keeping the magic of reading alive.

1. Kansas City Library （Kansas City， Missouri）

Along the south wall of this parking garage’s exterior， visitors are treated to what looks like a huge shelf of books. The building originally served as a bank， which is readily apparent when the library has screenings in its Vault Theater， inside an actual 1925 bank vault.

2. Biblioteca Vasconcelos （Mexico City， Mexico）

Known as the mega library， the interior of this library is more akin to a massive storage facility than a library. The open interior has towering flooring of open grates that create a labyrinth effect， and surrounds the “Matrix Mobile” by Gabriel Orozco—a sculpture transformed from the skeleton of a gray whale. The exterior is surrounded by almost 6½ acres of lush gardens devoted to plants endemic to Mexico.

3. Stuttgart City Library （Stuttgart， Germany）

Opened in 2011， this nine-story public library designed by Eun Young Yi is characterized by its stunning white-on-white color scheme （lit by blue light at night）， its bold cubic shape and its cavernous interior. This cultural center for the city， designed to feel open and full of light， can be entered from any of its four sides， and patrons can borrow artwork as well as books.

4. Biblioteca Sandro Penna （Perugia， Italy）

In a country known for classical architecture and historical buildings， Biblioteca Sandro Penna stands out for its modern aesthetic. Housing books and multimedia， this library was built in 2004， is named after a local poet and it is easily identifiable by its circular pink glass top reminiscent of a flying saucer.

5. Beach Library （Albena， Bulgaria）

Reading a book on the beach is a classic， and in Bulgaria， one library encourages tourists to do just that. The white， weather-resistant shelves lined up not far from the surf feature 6，000 books in 15 languages so every visitor can find the perfect beach read to enjoy while soaking up the sun’s rays.

6. The Camel Library Service （North Eastern Province， Kenya）

To combat low literacy rates in the desert of Kenya， the government created a roaming library composed of nine camels bringing books to villages. The library travels four days a week serving the region’s nomadic people. Currently the service focuses on children， but with more funding they plan to increase their reach both in distance and the titles they carry.

7. Bishan Library （Singapore）

Built in 2006， this library with skylights and trellises， is meant to invoke a modern glass treehouse. Glass pods of varying colors stick out of the building randomly to create cozy yet airy nooks for reading throughout the building. At the same time， a more open-plan children’s room on the basement level invites interaction while preventing noise from filtering upward and disturbing those concentrating in the lofty perches above.

8. Seikei University Library （Tokyo， Japan）

Libraries are usually known for their quiet atmosphere， but this one encourages conversation. Pritzker Prize-winner Shigeru Ban designed the library with space-age， free-standing soundproofed pods to respect those who need uninterrupted study， while also being conducive to other methods of learning; they serve as perfect spots for study groups and lively discussions.

9. Macquarie University Library （Sydney， Australia）

A stunning combination of cutting-edge and sustainable， this building was made from recycled materials， features a green roof， and was designed to emulate the look of a eucalyptus tree. It is also state of the art， using robot cranes to bring requested books to the front desk.

有些图书馆以独特的建筑外观吸引游客在书架间探索、专心阅读一本新书，或通过流动图书馆服务，将书籍带给不便于到馆的读者。无论方式如何，这些别具一格的图书馆都让阅读的魔力经久不衰。

1. 堪萨斯市公共图书馆（堪萨斯城，美国密苏里州）

停车场外部的南墙装扮成一个巨大的书架。很明显这座建筑起初用作银行，因为放映影片的金库剧场所在地其实是1925年的银行金库。

2. 巴斯孔塞洛斯图书馆（墨西哥城，墨西哥）

该图书馆以体型巨大著称，与其说是一家图书馆，它的内部更像是一个大型仓储设施。开阔的内部楼层耸立，每一层都安置着开放的栅格书架，营造出迷宫般的氛围，中心置有加布里埃尔·奥罗斯科的作品“移动矩阵”——一个由灰鲸骨架改造而成的雕塑。图书馆外部环绕着近6.5英亩郁郁蔥葱的花园，专门种植墨西哥特有的植物。

3. 斯图加特市图书馆（斯图加特市，德国）

这座9层的公共图书馆于2011年对外开放，由建筑师李恩永设计。建筑通体呈白色（夜晚打上蓝色灯光），令人称叹，其立方体结构醒目，内部空旷，颇具特色。该馆是斯图加特市的文化中心，让人感到宽敞亮堂，四个方向皆有入口，人们既可以借书，也可以借艺术品。

4. 桑德罗·彭纳图书馆（佩鲁贾，意大利）

意大利素以古典建筑和历史建筑闻名，桑德罗·彭纳图书馆则因其现代美而与众不同。这座图书馆建于2004年，以当地一位诗人的名字命名，内有藏书和多媒体。其环形粉红色玻璃顶好似一艘飞碟，极具识别性。

5. 海滩图书馆（阿尔贝纳，保加利亚）

在海滩上看书从古至今都是件美事，保加利亚的一家图书馆鼓励访客这样做。距离冲浪场不远的一排排白色书架能防风挡雨，上面摆放着6000本书，涉及15种语言，因此每位读者都可以在享受阳光的同时找到完美的海滩读物。

6. 骆驼图书馆服务（东北省，肯尼亚）

为了提高肯尼亚沙漠地区的识字率，政府建立了一个由9头骆驼组成的移动图书馆，将书籍送到村庄。图书馆每周有4天的时间为该地区的牧民服务。目前，这项服务的重点是儿童，但随着资金的增加，他们计划延长距离、增加书目。

7. 碧山图书馆（新加坡）

这座图书馆建于2006年，建筑运用天窗、格架，旨在营造现代玻璃树屋设计感。不同颜色的玻璃吊舱无规则地悬挑而出，在馆内外形成舒适而通风的角落以供阅读。同时，地下一层的大开间儿童阅读区利于互动，又避免了吵闹声向上传递，打扰高处潜心阅读的人。

8. 成蹊大学图书馆（东京，日本）

图书馆通常以安静的氛围而闻名，但这座图书馆却鼓励交谈。普利兹克建筑奖得主坂茂为图书馆设计了极为先进的独立隔音吊舱，以照顾那些需要不受打扰学习的人，也方便其他学习方式;这些吊舱是学习小组和活跃讨论的绝佳场所。

9. 麦考里大学图书馆（悉尼，澳大利亚）

这座建筑实现了尖端技术和可持续理念的惊人结合，由可回收材料建成，有绿色屋顶，设计模仿桉树的外观。该馆也利用了最先进的技术，借由机器人起重机将所需书籍送到前台。□

（译者为“《英语世界》杯”翻译大赛获奖者;单位：北京理工大学）