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Article: A Tale of Two Libraries.
- Article from:
- The World and I
- Article date:
- March 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 News World Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Despite early critics' attacks, public libraries in Vancouver and San Antonio are part of a growing North American trend toward innovative, user-friendly urban architecture.
When Vancouver's new public library opened on May 26, 1995, the Colosseumlike building was not without its critics. Some called Israeli- Canadian architect Moshe Safdie's creation pretentious, too assertive, and too florid, while others compared it to a suburban shopping mall. Nevertheless, the striking elliptical structure with Roman columns and arches has become one of Vancouver's most prominent landmarks and favorite gathering places, plus a symbol of this young Pacific Rim city's ...