Guardian readers August 21, 2013

University libraries of the 21st century – in pictures

We invited you to help us document the university library of the 21st century. From the uber-traditional to the downright quirky, here's a selection of your pictures featuring some of the most interesting designs• Browse more pictures on GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Sir Duncan Rice Library, University of Aberdeen — Sir Duncan Rice Library, University of Aberdeen: 'The Sir Duncan Rice Library viewed from the academic plaza. The sculpture in the foreground is titled "Waterlines"' Photograph: fadingisight/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Bangor University's Main Library — Bangor University's Main Library - Shankland Reading Room: 'The Welsh Library was named after Thomas Shankland who was a member of the Library staff, Bangor University between 1905 and 1925. He was born in San Clr, Carmarthenshire, and after a time as a student in the University at Bangor he became a Baptist minister at Mold and Rhyl. He returned to his old college as assistant librarian in 1905 and achieved notable work in collecting rare books, pamphlets and newspapers. He published extensively on the history of his denomination and hymn-writing' Photograph: mwnci1972/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Library Eindhoven University of Technology — Library Eindhoven University of Technology: 'The former W-hal has been transformed into a new and bigger building: MetaForum. All central study facilities are grouped together in here. Architect is Joost Ector. The completely renewed TU/e Library was inaugurated in the MetaForum building in September 2012: an inspiring place to study, meet fellow students and work together, offering a wealth of information resources' – TUeLibrary
Photograph: TUeLibrary/GuardianWitness Photograph: Toine Kuiper/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: National Autonomous University of Mexico — National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) - Main Library Photograph: Elba Gutiérrez/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Augustine House — Augustine House (Interior): 'Augustine House is the Library and Student Services Centre for Canterbury Christ Church University. It was opened in September 2009' Photograph: heywayne/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Durham University library — Durham University: 'The Library was originally founded by Bishop John Cosin in the 17th Century. Palace Green Library served as the University’s main library for 150 years before focusing on archival and special collections in the 1980s. Today, Palace Green Library is a place for visitors and researchers to explore both the University’s treasures and collections from around the world' Photograph: ClaireMulley/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Helsinki University Library — Helsinki University Library - Main Library in the Kaisa House: 'Helsinki University Library's new Main Library in the Kaisa House opened in 2012. The building houses the collections for Arts, Humanities, Law, Theology and Social Sciences of the biggest university library in Finland. The award-winning building was designed by architects Selina Anttinen & Vesa Oiva' – Veera Ristikartano
Photograph: Veera Ristikartano/GuardianWitness Photograph: Veikko Somerpuro/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: TU Delft Library — TU Delft Library's iconic cone structure: 'Recognizable from afar; TU Delft Library's iconic design makes it an unique landmark on the TU Delft campus' Photograph: Robin Barbier/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: United Arab Emirates University — United Arab Emirates University - Outside View: 'Completed in 2010, this modern architectural designed library, with its welcoming entrance of palm trees and water fountains houses the largest collection of electronic resources in the Arab world' Photograph: uaeuniversity/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: UQ Ipswich Library — UQ Ipswich Library, The University of Queensland: 'The UQ Ipswich Library supports the teaching, learning and research needs of staff and students at The University of Queensland. A rainforest garden with a river winds through the centre of the award-winning library on the Ipswich Campus. Designed to optimise the learning environment, this garden separates the quiet side of the library from the open precinct with its computer desks and group study spaces. It also creates fantastic air quality throughout the library. The Building 8 has won awards, including the 2003 ALIA Excellence Award for Building Design and Service Delivery, and the 2004 Australian Timber Design Award' Photograph: librarypubs/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Maughan Library, King's College London — Round Reading Room at the Maughan Library, King's College London: 'The Round Reading room is a quiet space to study inside the Maughan Library' Photograph: marc_420/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Griffith University library — Library and Learning Commons, Griffith University: 'The Griffith University Library is at the heart of the University, connecting students, staff and researchers across all disciplines. Book dominated spaces have given way to high-tech, dynamic environments that inspire creativity, promote collaboration and encourage innovation' Photograph: Tara Anderson/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Free University of Berlin library — FU Berlin Photograph: mims77/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Whitechapel Library — Whitechapel Library, Queen Mary University of London: 'Medical Library at Royal London Hospital, London' Photograph: EmmaBullQM/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Joe and Rika Mansueto Library — Joe and Rika Mansueto Library, University of Chicago: 'Books are stored underground at the Mansueto Library in a high-density Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS). This can hold up to 3.5 million items. The space above ground contains a grand reading room, along with hi-tech preservation and digitisation labs. Over 4.5 million further print items are stored (on open access shelving) in the Joseph Regenstein Library which can be seen in the background. In the foreground is a Henry Moore sculpture called Nuclear Energy' Photograph: Phil S/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: KU Leuven central library — KU Leuven central library, Belgium: 'Damaged and reconstructed several times during and after the two World Wars, the central library of KU Leuven now stands proudly in the centre of the city. A symbol of knowledge and rebirth and home to a vast and impressive collection, the central library has become one of Leuven’s most famous landmarks as well as a favourite study spot among students' Photograph: UniversityofLeuven/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Law Library at Universidade Federal do Paraná — Law Library at Universidade Federal do Paraná in Brazil: 'This is the rare books section at the Law Library of Universidade Federal do Paraná. The university completed 100 years last 2012 and this room exist since the building was built' Photograph: Paula Carina De Araújo/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: SOAS library — SOAS: 'The library at SOAS, London' Photograph: drexler19/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: St Chad Building — Library atrium, St Chad Building at Newman University, Birmingham: 'The Library is on the levels, accessed by the atrium' Photograph: zebraman007/GuardianWitness

universitylibraries: Teesside UniversityTeesside University — Teesside University: 'Recent renovation of the library' Photograph: Tony McKenna/GuardianWitness

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