Description of the attraction
The Alvar Aalto Library is a unique historical landmark of Vyborg. This building houses the Central City Library.
The building was erected in 1935. The author of the project is the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, in whose honor the institution was named. The sculptor put modernist ideas into his work, moving from neoclassicism to modernism. This style was expressed in a peculiar combination of the strict lines of the building and the smoothness of natural lines. Where possible, Alvar has used his favorite material, wood, which, unfortunately, has not stood the test of time. But the very structure of the premises has survived to this day.
The library has a lecture hall and a reading room; a special regime has been created to store the fund. The diffused lighting for readers is well thought out - shadowless. Such a flow of light was achieved thanks to the funnel-shaped lamps.
During the Soviet-Finnish war, the library suffered significant damage - it lost its entire unique fund. In 1944, the building was empty. But after a while, it again became in demand, but for a full-fledged work, the reconstruction of the building and the replenishment of books were required. With the selection of new literature, the status of the institution changed. The library became a branch of the State Public Library. Saltykov-Shchedrin. Most of the books in the library are in Russian.
In the post-war years, the building was in desolation, due to the temperature drop and high humidity, the unique acoustic wave-like ceiling of one of the halls collapsed. But, after a while, the realization of the historical significance of the building forced creative people to restore the library. However, there were not enough funds, and repair work continues to this day. The Russian government financed a unique project and allocated money from the budget.
In 1961 the building was renamed and named after the historical figure Nadezhda Konstantinovna Krupskaya. The opening attracted book-readers for a while, but during the perestroika times, the library seemed to have died out. The reason is insufficient funding. But the door to the land of books was opened thanks to a large-scale event - several branches of St. Petersburg universities caused an influx of readers. And in order to support the barely breathing life of the institution, a paid subscription was introduced, which was valid for the time being. Funds began to be allocated in sufficient quantities for culture, therefore, paid visits to the library were abolished. Free visit and use of the subscription seemed to breathe new life into the book house. Moreover, in 1998, the library began to bear the name of its creator Alvar Aalto. And the prefix "Central City Library in Vyborg" emphasized the importance of the institution in the city.
This is confirmed by the fact that the library is famous for its unique book collection. This is also a collection of literature on local history, which is constantly replenished from the fund of the library of the city of Lappeenranta in neighboring Finland. There are books about Vyborg and Karelia not only in Russian, but also in Finnish, German and Swedish.
And, of course, readers on the shelves of the library will find a selection of literature about the founder of the institution, Alvar Alto, his biography and creative path. One of the copies of the three-volume book about the life of Alvar Aalto has a unique inscription - the autograph of Goran Schild.
The Alvar Alto Library is the cultural center of Vyborg. Meetings with creative people and book presentations are held here, concerts are held, and artists exhibit their work. Everyone who comes here can find a book for themselves, the staff will help to make a choice. The traditions laid down by Alvar Alto are carefully preserved, and he silently watches what is happening - a portrait of his creator hangs in one of the halls of the library.
