Libraries in educational institutions may be small, narrow-causing the inevitable claustrophobia of the room, where the staff is more interested in eliminating distractions, than in creating a beneficial atmosphere for scientific activities. But the library of George Peabody in the campus Music Conservatory Peabody, now owned by the Johns Hopkins impresses at first sight with its lightness, and, at the same time, monumental.
source: flickr.com/Matthew Petroff/CC
The building was built in 1878 by order of the philanthropist George Peabody. Initially, the library was part of the Institute of arts and culture — the first music Conservatory in America that Peabody gave to the citizens of his beloved city of Baltimore. The Peabody Institute still ranks among the best music schools in the world. Many of the best classical music performers, teachers and composers have studied there.
source: flickr.com/Matthew Petroff/CC
source: flickr.com/Matthew Petroff/CC
The interior space of the library is decorated with a huge open atrium on each level, located in the center of the building. The main hall is richly decorated with stucco, carved railings and marble floors. In the daytime the room is illuminated with natural light coming through the Windows located on the ceiling. For the magnificence of the library called «Cathedral of books«.
source: flickr.com/Matthew Petroff/CC
source: flickr.com/Matthew Petroff/CC
Most of the library stock consists of training manuals of the late nineteenth century on a variety of subjects ranging from archaeology and natural Sciences to literature, though students can no longer use this library as a place to study. Currently this place is used for holding celebrations, such as weddings, or acts as scenery when filming a movie.
source: flickr.com/Matthew Petroff/CC
source: flickr.com/Matthew Petroff/CC
Library of the George Peabody remained open to the public, as intended by the philanthropist Peabody. You can visit it almost every day: Tuesday-Thursday from 10:00 to 17:00; Friday from 10:00 to 15:00; Saturday 10:00 to 13:00.
source: flickr.com/Matthew Petroff/CC
source: flickr.com/Matthew Petroff/CC
