The National Library of the Argentine Republic (Biblioteca Nacional de la República Argentina) is the largest library in Argentina and one of the largest in the Spanish-speaking world. It was founded in 1810, shortly after Argentina declared its independence from Spain, and it has since played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating the country's cultural heritage.
The library's collection includes over 4 million items, including books, manuscripts, periodicals, photographs, maps, and audiovisual materials. It has a wide range of materials on Argentine history, literature, art, science, and other subjects, as well as works by foreign authors and translations into Spanish. The library also has a significant collection of rare books and manuscripts, some of which date back to the 16th century.
In addition to its vast collection, the National Library is known for its stunning architecture. The library's main building, located in Buenos Aires, was designed by the Italian architect Clorindo Testa and inaugurated in 1992. The building's sleek, modernist design features a large, rectangular cube covered in green copper panels, which gives it a distinctive and eye-catching appearance.
The National Library is open to the public and offers a wide range of services, including reference and research assistance, cataloging and preservation of materials, and cultural and educational programming. It also hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events, and has a bookstore and café on site.