Books are amazing, and even more amazing are the institutions that give us free access to them: libraries. In case you did not know, April 19-25 is National Library Week. From the founding of the Library of Ashurbanipal near the ancient city of Nineveh in 668 BCE to the present date, libraries have been a source of knowledge and wisdom accessible to all. Public libraries are important not just for providing books and access to knowledge. Libraries also offer a variety of services, ranging from health information to community classes, and provide a place for community bonding at no cost. And it does not matter whether you live in a tiny town or a large city; there is probably a library within an hour’s drive, if not closer. In fact, there are over 17,000 libraries in the U.S. alone. Perhaps you have heard of the more famous libraries, such as the Great Library of Alexandria or the vast Library of Congress. But there are so many other wonderful and unique libraries. One of them is the Wiblingen Abbey Library in Ulm, Germany.
The story of this incredible library begins in 1093 when two brothers, the Counts Hartmann and Otto von Kirchberg, founded a monastery. Since monks dedicated their lives to God and scholarship, many monasteries also had modest libraries, or at the very least a collection of books. Additionally, because of the importance of church and religion, the Wiblingen Abbey soon became the center of both religious and cultural life in that region. And as the monastery grew, so did its collection of books. The library was constantly being replenished with new books by Christians, soon becoming one of the greatest libraries in Europe at the time. Then, in about 1714, it underwent a renovation and expansion project that transformed the humble monastery into an incredible Baroque structure. Unfortunately, the abbey was dissolved and abandoned soon afterward, and some of the art was looted. However, it persevered and was restored as closely as possible to the building’s original beauty.
Designed by the architect Christian Wiedemann, the building spans 72 meters long by 27 meters wide, and is a work of art. The colorful ceiling frescoes were painted by Franz Martin Kuen. The sculptures that line the spaces were carved from wood by Dominikus Hermenegild Herberger, each representing Faith, History, Jurisprudence, Natural Science, Mathematics, Obedience, Prayer and Renunciation of the World.
The blue and red pillars spanning the sides give it a Greco-Roman feel, and the harmony of the simple floor design and the dazzling walls and ceilings make the library a feast for the eyes. And while it sadly contains only a fraction of the original 15,000 books it once had, it still houses some of the most important and incredible books and works, and it looks like it is from a fairytale. If you want to visit the famous library, you can find more information here. Truly, it is incredible, so if you are ever in Ulm, Germany, swing by the library.
But you do not need to travel all the way to Germany in order to experience the joys of library life. In fact, there is the Berrien Springs Community Library about two miles from the Andrews campus that consistently hosts events from book clubs to crafts nights. And there are many more libraries in our vicinity, such as Niles, St. Joseph and Eau Claire. These buildings provide not only books, but DVD rentals, printing, opportunities for community interaction and social support. So maybe take this as a sign to stop by a library near you and enjoy the privilege of accessible literature and community bonding. You never know what you might find or whom you will meet.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.