Decision [ असत्य ]
- These pictures are of China’s Tianjin Binhai Library, and there is no such library in the name of Dr. Ambedkar in America.
What is the claim?
Four pictures of a huge library are viral on social media, in which it is being claimed to show the world’s largest library dedicated to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in America. One of the viral photos shows a large white circular structure at the center of the building. In all the photos, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the white walls.
A Facebook account shared the set of photos with the caption, “America opens the world’s largest library in the name of India’s messiah Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar! Jai Bhim, Jai Bharat, Jai Constitution.” View the archived version of the post here. Archived versions of other posts with similar claims Here And Here Can be seen.
Screenshots of the viral post (Source: X/Screenshot)
However, the viral photos are of the Tianjin Binhai Library in China, which was opened in 2017.
what the FAC?
When we searched for the viral photos through reverse image search, we found them on ‘Aach Daily’, a website covering architectural content. According to the article, the photos are of the Tianjin Binhai Library in the Binhai district of Tianjin, a coastal metropolis in China. The article states that the library was built through a collaboration between MVRDV, a Dutch architectural firm, and local architects from the Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute (TUPDI).
Two pictures of the viral post are available on the official website of MVRDV, one showing a huge circular structure and the other showing two people looking at books in front of some shelves. The website states that the Tianjin Binhai Library is spread over an area of 33,700 square meters with a bright circular auditorium and cascading bookcases from floor to ceiling. According to the website, this project was completed in 2017.
In November 2017, CNN also published a report showing highlights of the Tianjin Binhai Public Library. The report includes the same two photographs mentioned above.
On November 29, 2017, Time magazine reported a video showing scenes from the Tianjin Binhai Library, which officially opened to the public on October 1, 2017. The scenes seen in it match the scenes in the viral pictures. The video report of the Times states that some shelves in this library were made of printed aluminum plates that imitated books. Some people also criticized it.
Is there any library dedicated to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in America?
Logically Facts did not find any mention of a widely known or recognized library named after Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in America.
However, in October 2023, the tallest statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar outside India was unveiled in a Maryland suburb. The statue is located at the Ambedkar International Center (AIC) in Accokeek Township, about 22 miles south of the White House. AIC is said to be an upcoming project, which will include facilities like library, convention center and Buddha Garden.
For your information, let us tell you that apart from the captions accompanying the viral pictures, the Library of Congress, as mentioned on its official website, is recognized as the largest library in the world. According to Guinness World Records, as of November 2021, the US Library of Congress holds the title of the world’s largest library by catalog size, with 173,731,463 items.
Decision
The viral pictures are not of the world’s largest library opened in America in the name of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Actually, these are from a library in China, which was opened in 2017. Therefore, we consider the viral claim to be false.
Disclaimer: This report was first logicalfacts.com But it was printed. This story has been republished in ABP Live Hindi with special arrangement. ABP Live Hindi has not made any changes in the report except the headline.