Richland County Public Library Columbia, South Carolina

This 242,000-square-foot library is the main branch and has a stunning glass facade. Named the 2001 National Library of the Year, RCPL (including 10 branches) has 1.3 million books and non-print resources. In addition to the main library, M. B. Kahn Construction also constructed 7-branch libraries for Richland County. In addition to a permanent collection of South Carolina artists, RCPL features a mural of Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are” in its children’s room—the only instance in which the renowned author has allowed his work to be used as public art.