Logotopia: The Library in Architecture, Art and the Imagination

Why are libraries such desirable commissions for contemporary architects and an inspiration for artists and writers through the ages? Logotopia - the ancient Greek for "word place" - explores the library through architecture, art, and literature. With an astonishing multidisciplinary approach, these original writings examine libraries that are real and contemporary, notably Egypt's Biblioteca Alexandria, Japan's Library of a Poet and Canada's Grande bibliothèque national du Québec. Libraries of the imagination and of the future are also explored through the parallel universes of fiction, art, new media and pop culture. Among the many contributors are some of the world's most prominent architects, artists, writers and library directors. They include internationally renowned writer Ray Bradbury; the ex-director of the Iraq National Library, Dr. Saad Eskander; award-winning writer Albert Manguel; Canada's Patkau Architects; Norway's Snohetta Architects; Japan's Shigeru Ban Architects, and many more. This original colection of fiction, non-fiction and interviews is richly illustrated with photographs, sculptures, models and installations from the past, present and perhaps the future.