I know, you might feel a bit sorry you haven’t visited the library in your neighborhood since last month.
Let these wonderful moving images motivate you to do that. Meet the power of the virtual world created by Google Street View.
For a couple of years now, Google Street View is being used not only outside but also inside buildings. Several institutions and businesses can use the advanced tool called Google Interior Tours.
Bookstores and libraries are most suitable for that. They offer the magic of being among the best of all friends: books. Being in such a place makes you want to read something now, or something more.
Google Street View is a great way to promote libraries and bookstores. Once the tour is offered by an institution, it is automatically added to its Google+ page.
If you’re interested in entering Google Street View Partner Program, here are the details.
Google’s trusted photographers can schedule photo shoots in major cities of selected countries. Currently, it’s United States, Australia, New Zealand, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, and the UK.
Before the list, let me share a quick hint on how to find libraries that offer Google Street View tours. On Google+ pages, look for the right-hand widget called “See Inside”.
The most effective way is to perform a search inside Google+. Copy and paste the line from below into Google web search:
site:plus.google.com "public library" "see inside"
We’ve picked 10 libraries for your convenience. Start the tours in the embedded windows shown below. Click in the upper right corner to switch to full-screen view.
Being inside a library with Google Street View is something totally different from seeing a picture. You can look around, move along the shelves, reach the section with your favorite category. And, yes, you can even read the book!
Google Street View is an unexpectedly good companion in helping you feel the magic of the library. Any library. The one in your neighborhood, as well.
10 libraries to visit with Google Street View
1. Bentley University Library
Address: 175 Forest St, Waltham, MA, United States
Website: bentley.edu
2. Cleveland Public Library
Address: 795 Church St NE, Cleveland, TN, United States
Website: clevelandlibrary.org
3. Canton Public Library
Address: 1200 S Canton Center Rd, Canton, MI, United States
Website: cantonpl.org
4. Plymouth District Library
Address: 223 S Main St, Plymouth, MI, United States
Website: plymouthlibrary.org
5. London Public Library
Address: 30 N Centre Rd London, ON N5X 3W1 Canada
Website: londonpubliclibrary.ca
6. Homewood Public Library
Address: 1721 Oxmoor Rd, Birmingham, AL, United States
Website: homewoodpubliclibrary.org
7. Jonathan Bourne Library
Address: 19 Sandwich Rd, Bourne, MA, United States
Website: bournelibrary.org
8. Westerville Library
Address: 126 S State St, Westerville, OH, United States
Website: westervillelibrary.org
9. Mokena Community Public Library
Address: 11327 195th St, Mokena, IL, United States
Website: mokena.lib.il.us
10. Russell (Township of) Public Library
Address: 559N Russell Rd, Russell, ON, Canada
Website: www.russellbiblio.com
