libraries

Antwerp's Beautiful Reading Room

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Books

There's only just over a week left for easy access to one of Antwerp's more hidden treasures: the Nottebohm Room. This reading room is in what used to be the City Library, recently renamed the Hendrick Conscience Library (or Erfgoedbibliotheek Hendrik Conscience in Flemish), for its location on Conscienceplein in the city center.

The Nottebohm Room is everything you'd imagine a traditional reading room should be, all dark wood paneling, inviting desks, and two stories of books that will bring a respectful hush over any book lover. The library's collection dates back to 1481, and includes more than a million books, with 6,000 rare books, folios and other priceless book-related artifacts, including a delicately calligraphed and illuminated history of Rome written by Eutropius . In the early 20th century, the Nottebohm Room was the gathering place for Antwerp's literati -- you can see some more pictures of it here, although the page is in Flemish.

It's my understanding that the Nottebohm Room isn't open to the public regularly, but it's currently hosting an intimate exhibit of modern hand printed books called "Mooi Marginaal", and the contrast between these modern and often whimsical works, along with the nostalgic presence of the entire sweep of publishing history is a fine reason to fit this in when you visit this jewel of a city in Flanders. The exhibit is on until June 14th, Tuesday through Sunday, and admission is free.

Tags: antwerp, antwerpbelgium, belgium, books, libraries, library, rare books, RareBooks

Books For Africa, Charity Of The Day

by Star Sutherland (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Charity, Charity of the Day

Books For Africa distributes new and used books to students in Africa who otherwise would not have access to any reading and study material. Their mission is to put and end to the book famine in Africa. The books are donated by publishers, schools, libraries, individuals and organizations and are sorted and packed by volunteers who carefully choose books that are age and subject appropriate. Today, Books For Africa has shipped more than 18 million books! The cost of shipping isn't cheap, with each one sent there is nearly 40 cents postage required. Books For Africa depends on the generosity of donors to keep the program getting these books into the hands of deserving children.

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Tags: africa, books, libraries, literacy, reading