The Biblioteca Nacional Leonel de Moura Brizola completes the Niemeyer pair on the Esplanada — a long, low rectangular building facing the dome of the National Museum. Opened in 2006 alongside its partner, it contains over a million volumes and is open to the public for reading and use of facilities.
The plaza between the museum and the library is one of the more pleasant pieces of public space along the monumental axis, with shade trees and benches. Worth a slow walk-around even if you don't go inside.