STOCKHOLM PUBLIC LIBRARY

Description

Essentials about the Stockholm Public Library

Bookworms should make their way to the stadsbibliotek (Public Library) during a visit to Stockholm. With over two million books and hundreds of magazines and newspapers, it not only offers plenty of reading material, but is also one of the most striking buildings in the Swedish capital. The large reading room of the Stockholm Public Library is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of its kind in Europe.

The history and architecture of the Stockholm Public Library

The Stockholm Public Library building at the junction of Sveavägen and Odengatan is hard to miss. It was designed by the Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund, who was a member of a committee that discussed plans for a new central library from 1918. In 1922, Asplund presented his final plans, which were realized from 1924.

The library building is one of the finest examples of Swedish functionalism. Asplund’s first designs were still very much rooted in classicism. Over time, the architect simplified his designs and stripped them of all ornamentation.

Asplund’s plans were inspired by libraries in the USA and envisaged a central main room with freely accessible bookshelves, surrounded by reading rooms and atriums. The library building is crowned by a central rotunda, whose high cylinder gives the otherwise rather small building a monumental appearance.

The Stockholm Public Library was inaugurated in 1928. In 1931, the park to the south of the building was completed. A year later, the west wing of the library was completed. The main building also has three annex buildings to the west, which were added in later years.

The central reading room of the Stockholm Public Library is particularly impressive. The shelves are arranged in a circle over three floors and can be read from anywhere.