Maybe the last

I still have to return some items, but Saturday's visit to a new library was probably my last.

I had been wanting to visit the Joan Miró library for a while but the timing never seemed right.

The visit had a rough when I walked in and set off the alarm. Even though it was obvious that I did nothing wrong it was still awkward. I thought I would use the self-return kiosk, but I pressed the escollir idioma (choose language, in Catalan) button nothing happened. I attempted to figure out it despite the Catalan, but someone was waiting so I tried to tell him I couldn't read the Catalan. The library employee came hurrying over to rescue me, taking the books to the desk. "These are in English," he announced. I told him that I read English very well. "These are from another library," he announced. I told him that each month I visit a different library. He is not impressed and tells me to speak more quietly. Here less than five minutes and I was ready to disappear!

But no! I had to at least get the movie I came for and take some pictures for my loyal readers!!

The library is long and skinny and covered in solar panels.

One entrance faces the park and

The other entrance faces the street. No water in the moat right now.

Upstairs was filled with people doing work 

and browsing books.

I didn't see the English section and I don't know how I missed the children's area. Sorry for the limited description!

Crossing things off my list

Originally there was only one thing on my list, but the day got filled.

It started with a long run in preparation for a half-marathon in July.
The heat and humidity wiped me out even though I started at 6:30 a.m.
Truth - this is tomorrow's forecast, but it is virtually the same.

Next up was another new library (more about that later) where I checked out Frankenstein Junior, known as Young Frankenstein in English. We'll watch it to celebrate Father's Day.

I was lucky that the library that had the movie was
within walking distance of the Maker Faire, my first.

The building is made with two different types of filaments so it looks great in person. The geographical piece changed colors as it went. So many cool things that people made

One of may favorite uses for a laser cutter was to make a dollhouse!

I walked to the bus stop and waited across from an
old fire station that is now a training center and museum

Last August we bought special art passport that would get us into six museums at almost half price and would let us skip the line. Three were big ones (Miro, National Art Museum of Catalonia, and Picasso), but the others were all contemporary art museums. One was close to where I wanted to catch the train so I decided to visit.

I liked the building and all the skateboarders outside, but some of the exhibits were disturbing. The forensic architecture exhibit, which I found fascinating, focused on all sorts of crimes and the Martha Rosler: God Bless America! exhibit had a lot of social commentary. I found the combination overwhelming. You can take virtual tour of some of the museum here.

After making an imaginary wish list in the gift shop I headed to the train station along Carrer d'Elisabets and found this cool store that takes street banners and turns them into pencil cases, wallets, messenger bags, etc. I wanted one of everything.

I also want this banner advertising our town's festival.
It is free to look and takes up no room in the suitcase.

Another one

I added another library to my list, not that I have a list yet, but I should.

Here is the library's video.
som = we are

They had a good selection of English novels, including an Agatha Christie novel
that A. had not read. I wish the libraries also had non-fiction books in English.

The reading rooms had a lot of light.

The children's room was enormous. I have yet to see a children's
librarian at the library when I go during the school day.

Taking the bus to the library was a

little scenic tour.

Recycling

It seems that every time I go to the library there is a different display. I usually understand the general concept, but the explanations are written in Catalan and I can guess at some words, but not the exact idea.

This cd hut looked like fun.

Internally it was supported by cardboard

Nice variety of cds!

I wasn't as excited by the used clothing display.

If my computer ever gets fixed I'll show you The Little Prince display, including one version that was Yiddish in both Hebrew and Latin alphabets.

Out and about

I think D. could have cycled there faster, but this time he joined us on the train and metro for a family outing to Plaza de les Glòries Catalanes.

First up was Nou Mercat dels Encants. Barcelona Flea Market. Els Encants Vells. Mercat de Fira de Bellcaire.  All names for the same thing.

It has been around since the 14th century, but in this location only since 2013. 

I like the mirrored roof. 

I also liked the little views of Torre Agbar.

There were lots of used things we didn't need,

maybe because a lot of looked like my childhood basement.

The new things were a lot like the Thursday market, lots of underwear, purses, and bedding.

I was surprised how much material was for sale and how hard it must be to get the bolt you wanted.

From the flea market we headed across the square to the design museum, Museu del Disseny de Barcelona.

Construction on the cathedral can be seen from the museum.

Even before mobile phones graphic artists were promoting traffic safety.

D. liked this design of the cubes creating a star.

There was both old and new ceramic pieces, including a display of some of Miró's work and 

some of Picasso's ceramic pieces.

And what would a design museum be without chairs?
I wish they had been displayed together so I could get all the chairs in one picture.

I didn't get a single good picture from the clothing exhibit so this picture is from their video.

Unfortunately the library in the same building was closed, but I enjoyed checking out their exhibit.

D. enjoyed checking out the Bromptom club that had been having lunch at the museum cafe.

I would be happy to go back to the library, but I would pass on the another visit to the flea market.

Another library

The Sant Cugat library will request any book in the system and have it sent to the library, but the cost is 1.50€.  For just under 4€ I can go to any library in Barcelona and back and get whichever books they have.  Exploring different libraries has been a pleasure and last week I tried a new one.

Biblioteca Sant Gervasi - Joan Maragall
I took this photo from the architects' site, where you can see several more.

The window at the entrance had all the iconic Barcelona buildings.

The library had a lot of nooks and crannies, making it hard to take pictures.  It also had a lot of visitors (patrons? customers?), which also made it hard to take pictures.

There was a nice local section, including a lot of works of Joan Maragall.
(note - Joan is the Catalan equivalent of Juan)

The English section was a little frustrating since the titles were covered with labels and the books were covered with plastic, meaning it was difficult to slide them out to read the title.  On the other hand, they had books in English, which is what I wanted.

I didn't see a librarian, but the desk looked inviting.

Books that need repair go here?

Between floors was a display area that seemed to be a play on the
often heard, "I can't remember the title but it had a green cover."

edit - This display may be related to the comment above, but as was pointed out in the comments this display is related to the advertising campaign for the color of the year.  Read more here. 

Above the library was open space.

If I weren't trying to explore a lot of libraries I would definitely return to this one.