It isn't often that the library is considered one of the coolest joints in town, but Seattle's downtown library is such an architectural wonder that it is one of the city's highlights. When the building opened in 2004, its design created a rift among many locals, who either loved it or hated it. Indeed, there wasn't much of a middle ground with this giant glass cube and its diamond-patterned steel girders and strange angles. Regardless of your reaction to Architect Rem Koolhaas's design, you can't help but notice that in a town known for its gray skies, this library abounds with natural light. Oh, and if you need to use the Internet, this place has hundreds of computer terminals, too.