In the latest copy of The Sunday Times Travel magazine, Cardiff Central Library has been given the fantastic accolade of being one of the six best libraries in the world.
And if that wasn’t enough the Welsh capital’s library is the only one in the UK to feature on the list and only one of two from Europe.
The city library joins an elite list of six, which The Times have called the ‘six of the best’. This includes Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt; Stephen A Schwarzman Building, New York; Customs House, Sydney; Kyoto International Manga Museum, Japan and Denmark’s National Library, based in Copenhagen.
Since opening in March 2009, the library has received high praise for its state-of-the-art features and its modern take on library services.
As well as including 90,000 books, the library is home to a white concert grand piano, which proficient users are free to play anytime the library is open with plenty of music scores to choose from.
To emphasis the modern outlook of the library, in June 2009 the Manic Street Preachers officially opened the library, with, according to The Times “suitable cool fanfare.”
The magazine also praised the green credentials of the library, noting that it is “one of Wales’ greenest buildings.”
Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Rodney Berman said: “When we planned and designed Cardiff Central Library, we wanted it to become an exemplar for future library projects. Being the only UK library on the list, as well as the highest rated European library, this shows that it has achieved the goal of being recognised as a landmark facility as well as helping to further our ambition to make Cardiff a world-class quality of life capital.
“The library strikes the perfect balance between traditional library services and modern technology. I am very proud of what we have achieved at the Central Library and I am delighted that the work we have put into the library is now being recognised and celebrated.”
Executive Member Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “I am delighted to see Cardiff has been named in The Sunday Times Travel magazine as one of the best libraries in the world.
“Our aim with Central Library is to create a new and exciting way for Cardiff residents to access library services, mixing traditional with new and interesting features.
“We also wanted it to be a venue which could be enjoyed in many ways, hosting events you wouldn’t normally associate with a library, including speed dating and live music nights. “
