Bergen Public Library, Heritage library building in Bergen Municipality, Norway
Bergen Public Library is a cultural institution with a main building and several branch locations that serve the reading needs of the region. The neo-Romanesque main building was designed by Olaf Nordhagen following an architectural competition.
The institution began in 1872 from the donation of 12,000 books by a university librarian and formed the foundation of this public library. It moved into its current building following a competition held in 1906.
The library holds a collection rooted in medieval books from a church, showing how knowledge has been preserved across centuries. Visitors can see here how old literary traditions connect with modern services.
The main building is located centrally in Bergen and is easy to reach by public transport. Branch locations are spread across the city, making it convenient to visit a nearby branch.
The neo-Romanesque building was selected through a public competition, making it a notable example of how architectural decisions were democratized. This approach was unusual for larger public projects in early 20th-century Norway.
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