José Vasconcelos Library, library
The José Vasconcelos Library is a modern public structure with three six-story buildings housing over 600,000 books on metal shelves, including children's materials, Braille resources, and music recordings. The complex also features a botanical garden covering 26,000 square meters planted with around 168 different plant species.
The library opened in 2006 following a design by architect Alberto Kalach, who aimed to unite learning and nature in an urban setting. After structural water damage required extensive repairs, it reopened in 2008 and has since become an important cultural destination in the city.
The name honors José Vasconcelos, an influential Mexican intellectual who advanced education throughout the country. The space embodies his philosophy by offering free access to knowledge and hosting cultural events that reflect the nation's artistic traditions.
Located in the Buenavista neighborhood next to the historic train station, it is easily accessible by metro or bus. The site offers free entry, computer workstations, and varied spaces suitable for quiet study, browsing books, or attending exhibitions and performances.
A striking artwork inside is Gabriel Orozco's 'Matrix Móvil', a steel whale bone sculpture symbolizing the vastness of knowledge. This piece gained international recognition when displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2009 and has become an iconic symbol of the library.
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