It hasn't been around for over a thousand years. But, there's a new library in Alexandria called Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
In all fairness, the new library is awesome. Just check out the pictures, the architecture is awesome. One might say, it's a modern marvel.
But, it's a joke. The library wasn't built as a center for learning and studying. It's a tourist trap. It even has a planetarium connected to it. You can't even bring books into the library. It's not even open past 8 p.m (it closed at 2 p.m during Ramadan). And, anyone who has seriously studied anything knows that the best learning goes on past 2 a.m (But, I'm just asking for a library open until at least 10 p.m).
Huge tour buses are always parked in front of the library and tours go on all day long. There's even a concert hall right next to the library (referred to in my Franki Valli and the ... post). It even has the fastest book publishing machine in the world -- they needed some superlative.
The new library was a great investment for the Egypt. Not only does it increase tourism, but it also gives pride to the Alexandrian people. Not only is it a tribute to when Egypt was on the top of the world, but it also shows that Egypt can still build wonders.
As a college student, my problem is that this place is not a real library. Sure, it has 3-4 million books, it's very quiet, and there's internet access. But, you can't bring in books, check out books, stay past 8 p.m, or find books critical of the Egyptian government. I've talked with taxi drivers, library employees and a manager about the rule against bringing in books; they all say that there's plenty of books inside the library and I can just read one of those.
If you're into architecture, come check this library out. Other than that the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is just a sub-par library.
I hate to rail on something that people put so much hard work into, but truthfully, all I want to do is go in the library and study.
