Libraries: Safe havens around the world

A source of knowledge, books are an essential asset in our society. Through them, humanity has been able to capture and pass down the wisdom accumulated over centuries, and that’s why they deserve a place of honor for preservation: libraries.

This isn’t a new concept. We know these spaces emerged in Mesopotamian culture around 3,000 B.C. to preserve clay tablets. With the advent of the printing press, libraries were established for scholars and researchers, and it wasn’t until the Renaissance that they became accessible to the general public.

Today, libraries fulfill essential functions in providing access to information, fostering reading, and safeguarding intellectual property within the communities they serve.

According to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, there are roughly 2.8 million libraries around the world. Asia leads with the highest number, boasting 2 million libraries (with India at the forefront with 1.5 million).

In Spain, there are about 6,700 libraries, based on the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and the Ministry of Culture and Sports. In Latin America, the number varies greatly from country to country. Notably, Brazil stands out with over 6,000 registered public libraries, in addition to academic and school libraries, while Mexico has approximately 7,400 public libraries.

In observance of World Book and Copyright Day, celebrated annually on April 23, let’s explore some of the most iconic libraries around the world.

• Trinity College (Ireland). Our journey begins in Ireland. The Old Library at Trinity College in Dublin, founded in 1592, houses over four million volumes on its wooden shelves. Among its most prized treasures is the Book of Kells, a 9th-century Christian manuscript featuring the four Gospels in exquisite calligraphy.

• Stuttgart Public Library (Germany). Next, we travel to Germany. Opened in 2011, Stuttgart Public Library is one of Europe’s most innovative reading centers. Its striking exterior resembles a giant concrete Rubik’s Cube, with colorful panels that light up at night. Spanning more than 20,000 square meters on eleven floors, two of which are underground, it ranks as one of the largest libraries in the world.

• Library of Alexandria (Egypt). We then head to Africa. Built on the site of the ancient Library of Alexandria, which was repeatedly destroyed by fire throughout its history, the modern library is situated on the Nile Delta. In addition to its expansive reading room, it houses six specialized collections, a planetarium, four museums, twelve academic research centers, and four galleries. 

• Tianjin Binhai Library (China). In Asia, the Tianjin Binhai Library is often called “the sea of knowledge.” Its breathtaking architecture is inspired by the rice terraces of southern China. Standing 30 meters tall and covering over 33,000 square meters, it can hold up to 1.2 million books. The library attracts an average of 15,000 visitors weekly.

• New York Public Library (United States). If you visit the city that never sleeps, be sure to stop by the New York Public Library, a landmark featured in films like Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Ghostbusters. Recognizable by the iconic lion statues at its entrance, its impressive collection includes several manuscripts by Shakespeare and a letter from Christopher Columbus.

• Vasconcelos Library (Mexico). Located in Mexico City, the Vasconcelos Library is one of the most renowned in Latin America. An exemplary feat of contemporary architecture, it combines steel, marble, granite, wood, and glass. Opened in 2006, it consists of three buildings, each with six floors, and houses a collection of 600,000 books.

• National Library of Spain. Open to the public since 1896, the National Library of Spain boasts a valuable collection that includes incunabula, manuscripts, prints, drawings, photographs, sound recordings, and sheet music. It serves as a repository of bibliographic and documentary heritage with over 35 million documents. Among its most treasured items is the collection of incunabula printed in Spain, with over 350 examples.

As we’ve seen, libraries preserve vast amounts of knowledge, making their protection important. The insurance industry offers a range of coverage options to ensure these spaces remain safe, including policies for:

• Their buildings. Can you imagine if they were affected by fires or floods? Libraries face a number of risks. Both their structures and contents can be covered under multi-risk insurance policies. There are also specific policies for unique buildings, focusing on their cultural and historical preservation. 

• Users and visitors. As we’ve seen, many incidents can occur in these spaces, such as someone accidentally falling and injuring themselves or getting hurt while participating in library activities. In these cases, accident and liability insurance provide compensation for the damages. 

• Valuable books. Deposited in the world’s largest library collections, books dating from 1440 to 1500 are invaluable treasures. For books on display, there are insurance policies that cover their transportation and protection during exhibitions.

At MAPFRE, we offer insurance solutions for all of these areas. So, the next time you visit a library, remember the importance of insurance. Happy World Book Day!

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