ABSTRACT
Public libraries of the early twentieth century in America had a grand public mission. Though often funded by plutocrats, they were dedicated to opening opportunity to anyone with curiosity and a will towards self-improvement. It is fair to ask what values related to education lie behind this dialogue between landscape and architecture. Libraries, in particular, were sited to command these grand public spaces and assume their place of importance among seats of government. Though geographically removed from Western Europe, Stockholm was not immune to this mania for civic grandeur and progressive reforms. The form it took, however, was decidedly different. Instead of a majestic structure that commands an axis or square, the Stockholm Public Library, or Stadsbiblioteket, sits at a major intersection, next to a steep hill. Contrary to familiar Beaux Arts practice, the library design by Asplund makes no attempt to dominate the surrounding park, called Observatorielunden, also designed by Asplund.
