So wrote the jury for the 2007 Library Building Awards about Montreal's very own Grande Bibliothéque, which won first place in the competition. The annual award is co-sponsored by the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association. The other 2007 recipients included libraries from New York to California, as well as one in Foshan, China. Here's what else the judges said:

“At once urban, human scaled, and extraordinarily open, the building succeeds by its exquisite use of materials and detailing both inside and outside. There is a peaceful, tranquil feel that provides a welcome contrast to its grand urban gesture, masterfully executed. The architects were at the top of their game.”

Oh judges, you're making us blush. Of course, anyone who's been inside the Big Library (doesn't have the same ring in English) knows what a beautiful space it is, as well as its functionality. I love how it interacts with the city around it; multiple entrances (including direct metro access), outdoor space for smokers and loungers, and its late opening hours make the library a true public space. But its striking facade, interior design, and wealth of resources also set it apart as a destination.

(Picture from Patkau Architects, one of three firms who worked on this project.)