It's a beautiful abbey library! I initially wasn't all that interested in visiting it since I've…read morealready seen similar ones in Melk & Dublin. However, I must say that the history of St. Gallus is very well-presented here. The exhibition in the vaulted cellar is very informative with digital screens in many different languages. I didn't know that Gallus (Gall) was a student at Bangor Abbey in Northern Ireland. He would eventually leave Ireland to follow Columbanus to become a missionary. This is where the story gets murky. They would end up in Merovingian France, and eventually flee to Bregenz after Columbanus is banished from that country for his beliefs. Gallus retreated to a more secluded life in the Steinach Valley either due to illness, or he just didn't want to continue on to Italy. There's also a bear in this story. Just read about the legend of Gallus and the bear. Visiting the library was a good experience. There are these padded shoes that you must slip into before walking on the wooden floors. Everyone kind of slides through the different parts of the library. It's an extensive collection of about 170,000 books and transcripts. The docent was gracious in giving us a brief tour. He told us we could take pictures, but not of the mummified body of Shep-en-Isis. That's a no-no. Good to know. Another interesting thing to see is the exhibition in the Abbey Archive. It houses the oldest monastery blueprint dating back to 820-830 AD in a controlled environment with a presentation that can be adjusted to the language of your choosing. The map is shown for less than a minute to limit its exposure to light. It's all included in the admission price. Just check it all out if you happen to be near St. Gallen. It's worth a stop.

WOW!! I have seen pictures of this place ever since moving to Switzerland and it was on my list of…read moremust see places before ever moving away. When I entered the building that houses the library, there is nothing special. You purchase your ticket for 12 CHF which includes a visit to the library and Lapidarium located downstairs. You are instructed to first place all your belongings in a locker (no extra charge) before continuing with your visit. You will also need to put slippers on over your shoes as you enter into the library room. As you come to the entrance of the library you see a magnificent wooden door, but you can't quite peer around the corner to see what is inside. As I entered, my breath was taken away, this definitely is one of the top 10 best indoor places I have been too, and I can see why it is part of the UNESCO world heritage list since 1983, and reviewed as one of the finest library buildings in the world. This was the library of the former Benedictine monastery of St. Gall. The library was built in late baroque style at the same time as the cathedral 1758-1767. The library possesses 170,000 works, 2,100 manuscripts of which no less than 400 date from before the year 1000. The room itself is two floors, contains beautiful wood furnishings, and has amazing ceiling frescoes. There is so much to take in and look at all at the same time. There are also books on display to see. I was told the display rotates throughout the year. I could have shuffled around that room in my slippers for ages. After seeing the library, the Lapidarium was a let down. The Lapidarium can be found in the vaulted cellar of the library, it is home to architectural sculptures from the former church on site, and also an exhibit on the cultural history of the abbey. I would definitely go to the Lapidarium first and then end your experience in the library. TIP: On the web page http://www.cesg.unifr.ch you can access a virtual library of several hundred digitally photographed medieval St. Gall manuscripts free of charge.

This building services as a textile museum, library and drawing college. The museum owns a…read morecomprehensive textile collection that covers major stylistic and technical developments of textile history. The library houses pattern books from machine embroidery, weaving and textile printing, as well as textile designs, fashion drawings, fashion photographs and literature on textiles and art. For a textile lover, this might be a great place. But, for an entrance fee of 12 CHF, even as a fan of textiles, I think I would still be disappointed. Thankfully, my entrance was free as it was included as part of a free Easter promotion I signed up for via the tourism website. The library is not open to the public, and the remaining museum can be viewed in a matter of minutes and is housed on two floors of the building. We kept thinking we must have missed something, as there just wasn't much there.

This is a beautiful library that takes a classic, clean, simple facade and elevates it up many…read morenotches. The natural lighting compliments the area perfectly. It's a perfect place to study because of how well lit, quiet, and peaceful the building is. If it's your first time inside you'll likely be distracted by the architecture which is perfectly understandable.

Definitely worth a visit just to admire the impressive architecture by Santiago Calatrava, which…read moreyou wouldn't suspect to be hiding inside by the outer looks of the building. Make sure to also take the glass elevator all the way up. It's easiest to enter the building from the back. When entering from Rämistrasse, it's slightly tricky to find the way to the library. There are lockers to leave your bags, which you're not supposed to bring inside (need a 2CHF coin). No flash photography so that the people studying there won't be disturbed.

This is the central location for the Pestalozzi Bibliothek Zürich (PBZ) system, and it shows…read more Three floors of books, one floor just for friendly check-in and automated check-out, and a central location. It's referred to as the "Altstadt" branch in the PBZ literature and website. I'm not sure I'd consider the "café" area much of a cafe --- as far as I can tell, there's tables where it's OK to eat, and an automated Nescafe machine. "Library café" usually implies the option for a slice of cake to me. I do like that there's a bit of a kid's play area downstairs, near the kid's books --- but it's not much of one (certainly smaller than the kid's room at the library in Boulder, Colorado where I spent so much time). All in all, when the Höngg and Altstetten branches don't have the book I'm looking for, I turn to this one.

Everybody should profit from this opportunity that the city of Zurich offers...There are books (for…read morekids and adults), magazines, language courses, dvds and a wide choice of music. I love that place! Everything for a very affordable price (something like 30 chf per year for students) and very flexible loan conditions. There are several libraries throughout the city of Zurich. I advise everyone to go there and have a look of what I am talking about on their own. You can rent a book in one library and give it back in another one! Amazing! The building in the old city (the one I go to) is huge and the staff very nice!

Great spot for drinks, coffee, or light snacks and meals. It's a coffee shop/ bar/ bookstore…read more Nice location with many seating options inside and outside. It's self-serve with many drink and food options. It's also a good spot for studying, working, or to relax with family and friends. I like this cafe a lot, and would recommend stopping by. The food and the drinks are okay, but it's more the atmosphere the scores the points.

Great place to relax with coffee, beer or other beverage. Next to Limmat so you see people with…read moredogs, baby or old couples. Even if it's a book cafe, most people here just come in for drinks and hanging out. During the day, you see some working/studying here. Good and reasonably priced cappuccino (can choose small 4.50 CHF or large5.xx CHF) and wine/beer (less than 7 CHF). Muslie was great but haven't tried other food. you can pick up some pre-made salad or sandwiches. Great to sit outside or backside to hang out.

Of course there is a lot of knowledge available, but this is one of the modern public buildings I…read morereally like. How did they do the different walls, what material is in the ceiling? What about the front? Lots of relaxing areas. Not to mention the lakeview.

Bücherauswahl hinsichtlich der Japanischen Sengoku Jidai nur sehr begrenzt - auch andernfalls…read morejedoch, so sind auch etliche naturhistorische und gesellschaftsspezifische Themen defizitiär. Personal grösstenteils äusserst unfreundlich und Bezahlung ebenfalls extremst kompliziert, Preise für gescannte Dokumente und Heimlieferungen überteuert, was alles unglaublich unprofessionell für eine Bibliothek universitären Niveaus ist. Diese wissenschaftliche Bibliothek braucht eindeutig dringendst eine Überarbeitung hinsichtlich der dargelegten Materialien, Organisation UND Personalfachkräften, dieses Erachten ist wohl von kaum jemandem zu bestreiten, der oder die jemals das Glück - oder wohl eher das Pech - hatten, der Zürcher Zentralbibliothek einen Besuch abstatten zu müssen.