Ghent's library is among the most beautiful in the world

Despite living in a digital world, the best and largest libraries are the ones that have been built recently and the BBC claims that one such library is ‘De Krook’ in Ghent. The library is said to have transformed a former “no-go zone” in a city they describe as a “medieval metropolis with a large student population, as beautiful as Bruges”. The channel claims that the library forms a strong contrast with Ghent's historic buildings, yet is still successful in connecting the city centre and arty district.

De Krook opened its doors in March 2017 and is advertised as ‘an open house for knowledge and innovation’. The project was carried out in a partnership between the city of Ghent, Ghent University and the research centre IMEC and cost a total of 65 million euros. It was designed by Ralf Coussée, Klaas Goris and the Spanish-Catalan architect agency RCR Arquitectes. It took six years to build this modern complex. The city council has designed the library to be much more than simply a place to store books. It is also a place for exhibitions, talks, 3-D printing and plenty more besides. Meanwhile, the library has earned the nickname 'city balcony' due to its special shape and stylish metal structure.

Other libraries in the top ten are Peckham Library in London, the National Library of Latvia in Riga, the Library of Alexandria, Seattle Central Library and the University Libraries of Berlin, Vienna, Birmingham, Aberdeen and Cottbus.