In his keynote speech for the American Library Association’s 2019 annual conference, Jason Reynolds spoke of libraries as “sacred” spaces. I’m inclined to agree. There are many of us for whom libraries are very close to sacred spaces of worship, and the architecture of many of them rivals some of the world’s most famous cathedrals, mosques, and Buddhist temples. I also find it no coincidence that many of the best libraries in the world have ties to holy places as well.
While the library of my dreams is a fictional one (Beauty and the Beast), there are many in this world that give it stiff competition. Here’s some of the best libraries in the world: the oldest, the largest, and more.
5 of the World’s Oldest Libraries
Because, as much as we would love to, we can’t visit the ancient library of Alexandria.
View this post on InstagramOne of the Muslim worlds greatest treasures has been reborn – As the worlds oldest library, al-Qarawiyyin was founded in Fez more than a thousand years ago. Architect and Fez native Aziza Chaouni has breathed new life into this historical marvel and has honored the libraries original founder, Fatima al-Fihri. As it stands, the library, built by a woman , has now been rebuilt by a woman a millennium or so later. @azizachaouniprojects #alqarawiyyinlibrary #culturalheritage #unescosite #unescoheritage #fez
Khizanat Al Qarawiyyin, University of al-Qarawiyyin, Morocco
Said to be the oldest library in the world, and it was founded by a woman (who run the world, right?). Opened in 859, the library houses 4,000 rare books and manuscripts and was lovingly restored by another woman, Aziza Chaouni.
Get a better look into this library here.
Rampur Raza Library, Rampur, India
The Raza library was established in the late 18th century and is home to many Indo-Islamic treasures, including the first translated manuscript of the Qur’an. Essentially, it’s the kind of library where you can expect to find the staff decked out with those little white gloves.
View this post on InstagramA no ser por los libros, la cultura humana sería tan efímera como lo es el hombre. #Puebla #Bibliotecas #libraries #bibliothèque #library
Biblioteca Palafoxiana, Puebla, Mexico
“He who succeeds without books is in an inconsolable darkness, on a mountain without company, on a path without a crosier, in darkness without a guide.”
So said Juan de Palafox y Mendoza, the bishop of Puebla who donated 5,000 books to the Colegio san Juan in 1646 on the proviso that they be available to anyone who wished to use them.
View this post on InstagramWas a beautiful morning in #Oxford Then it decided it should behave like winter and snowed for a while! #wintersun #travel
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
The Bodleian library epitomises what it means to be British. It’s connected to a duke and is really old. Established in 1602, the Bodleian is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and the second largest in England (second only to The British Library).
View this post on InstagramHow gorgeous is this library? ⠀ ⠀ Charia one of our brand ambassadors definitely knows how to read. 💁🏼♀️⠀This beautiful photograph was taken at the Admont Abbey library in Austria #amustsee😍⠀ ⠀ Find out why Charia loves books and travel through the link in our bio ✨⠀ ⠀ www.countryhouselibrary.co.uk⠀ @countryhouselibrary⠀ #countryhouselibrary ⠀ ⠀ ___________________________________________⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #travelingtheworld #bookishfeatures #bookstagramfeature #vscophile #beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #wanderlust #amazinglibraries #library #igreads #instareads #admontabbeylibrary #bookblogger⠀ #goodbooks #bookobsessed #bookshelf #bookaesthetic #booksbooksbooks #bookaesthetic #vintagebookshop #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #bookfeatures⠀
Admont Abbey Library, Admont, Austria
This library is not only one of the oldest, but one of the most beautiful. It’s a must for Bookstagram bragging rights. It was built in 1776 with seven cupolas containing frescoes by Bartolomeo Altomonte depicting human knowledge as laid out in the Enlightenment. This is the library of dreams.
5 of the Largest Libraries in the World
One day I hope to dedicate a room in my house to floor to ceiling shelves lined with books upon books upon books. Until then, I’ll have to make do with some of the biggest libraries in the world.
View this post on InstagramIt’s our birthday! For 219 years, the Library has preserved and provided access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors. #libraryofcongress #librariesofinstagram #librarylove #birthday
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., United States
Items in catalogue: 164 million.
View this post on InstagramIf you look closely enough, you’ll find that typography is everywhere. Can you see how ‘British Library’ is repeated in strokes that thicken from light to extra bold on these iconic gates designed by David Kindersley and Lida Lopes Cardozo? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Explore different takes on typography in our #MakingYourMark exhibition. See how they illustrate the power of writing to allow us to make a lasting creative mark of our own. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📷: @taphotografik ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #writing #historyofwriting #typography #design #britishlibrary #architecture #lettering
British Library, London and Boston Spa, United Kingdom
Items in catalogue: 150 million.
View this post on InstagramSnow means that today is the perfect day to warm up in the library with a book (as if you needed an excuse). ☃️
New York Public Library, New York, United States
Items in catalogue: 55 million.
View this post on InstagramIt is no secret that “The Secret Bench of Knowledge” is an Ottawa landmark that graces the entrance to a building where you can load up on knowledge. 🤓🧐 ♥️ ♥️ This sculpture created in 1989 is one of Ottawa’s most beloved and most photographed works of public art. The artist came one night and simply put this work in front of the building. She later removed it as it was to be part of an exhibition in New York, but Ottawans had already adopted it as an icon of their city. In 1994, a new Secret Bench of Knowledge was unveiled at the same location, before a large crowd of onlookers and media. ♥️ ♥️ The sculpture is engraved with close to 100 handwritten messages about the joy and value of reading, contributed by both writers and people from across Canada. . . . #PublicArt #SecretBenchOfKnowledge #CanadianArt #CanadianArtists #CanadianInspiration #NationalLibrary #LibraryAndArchivesCanada #LeaVivot #395Wellington #395Lac #SecretBench #MyOttawa #Ottawa #Canada
Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Canada
Items in catalogue: 54 million.
View this post on InstagramКонтрасты Ленинки ⚜️
Russian State Library, Moscow, Russia
Items in catalogue: 44.4 million.
8 of the Most Beautiful Libraries
And because I know that we’re all just doing this for the ‘Gram, the eight most beautiful libraries in the world are:
View this post on InstagramBiblioteca S.Penna Perugia 📚📖 #abstract #archidaily #archilovers #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #architexture #art #arts #beautiful #biblioteca #buildings #cities #city #composition #design #geometric #geometry #instagood #lines #lookingup #minimal #pattern #perspective #skyscraper #minimal #style #TagsForLikes #town #urban
Mediatheque Sandro Penna, Perugia, Italy
This library opened in 2004 as a pink disk that shines at night. It’s somewhat of a beacon to the neighbourhood it is situated in. A call to arms to come and read.
View this post on InstagramThis is the library of the Wiblingen #Monastery. The numerous statues and sweeping ceiling fresco represent the architect’s vision that the library be a place for preserving “treasures of wisdom and science”. Credit for the picture goes to @blackdotswhitespots. 📸 #germanytourism #germanculture #visitgermany
Wiblingen Abbey Library, Ulm, Germany
Rivalling the Admont Abbey Library in beauty, this is another testament to the beauty of European art and architecture and the love of books and study.
View this post on Instagram#tweedekamer #handelingenkamer #denhaag #historisch besef. Het is net mijn boekenkast. Ze staan er te staan zonder dat het boek wordt gelezen. #zininvakantie
Handelingenkamer, The Hague, Netherlands
The leaded glass dome ceiling that was built for the practicality of letting in light at a time with no electricity is what gives this library its beauty. The light shines down on all four stories, presenting the cast-iron rails and staircase in their full majesty.
View this post on Instagram. Bom dia! Aldeia Acabamentos e Complementos. Nós amamos ARQUITETURA! Biblioteca Nacional de Sejong by S.A.M.O.O., na Coréia do Sul. #arquitetura #architecture #fachada #facade #biblioteca #library #nationallibraryofsejongcity #S.A.M.O.O.
National Library of Sejong City, Sejong City, South Korea
The upward arc of this library seems to defy gravity. It opened in 2013 and is a testament to modern design.
View this post on InstagramTake a look at the world-famous Benedictine monastery Melk Abbey in Austria. The monastery is one of the most beautiful Baroque ensembles in Europe and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000.⠀ •⠀ •⠀ •⠀ •⠀ •⠀ #melkabbey #stiftmelk #feelaustria #visitaustria #travelaustria #discovereurope #benedictinemonastery #baroque #worldheritage #worldheritagesite #unseco #monasteries #beautifulchurch #beautifuleurope #niederösterreich⠀
Melk Abbey Library, Melk, Austria
Another Abbey library, what more is there to say? The meticulousness of the beauty is enough to hush you before any librarian has a chance to put finger to lips.
View this post on InstagramThe most beautiful library I’ve ever seen! All the 3.5 million volumes of books are underground in a shelving unit! A robotic arm retrieves and brings up books to students. #thefuture
Joe and Rika Mansueto Library, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
The elliptical glass dome is enough to stop you in your tracks. Beautiful from the outside and inside, this is, to me, one of Chicago’s lesser known gems.
View this post on Instagram#seattlepubliclibrary #seattlecentrallibrary #remkoolhaas #omaarchitects 2004 #stacks #seattle
Seattle Central Library, Seattle, Washington, United States
This library is testament to the hidden beauty of glass and steel.
View this post on InstagramUniversity of Ghana and it’s unique architecture. I present to you the Balme Library .. . . . . . . . . #ghana🇬🇭 #accra #legon #universityofghana #ug #ugforlife #almamater #alumni #visiterlafrique #withgalaxy #travelafrique #explore #travelghana #visitghana #university #balmelibrary #books #study #knowledge #read #learn #architecture #fountain
Balme Library, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Not all beauty is majestic. Some is understated but equally spectacular.
9 of the Most Popular Libraries in the World
…So you know which ones to avoid if, like me, you don’t like large crowds and wish for more intimacy with your books.
View this post on InstagramToday @nypl took part in #DaylightHour. The City of New York encouraged organizations around NYC to commit to turning off office lights from 12–1 PM in spaces with adequate daylight to save energy and raise awareness about the use of natural lighting in lieu of electric lighting. This image shows the Rose Main Reading Room with most of its lights off, with visitors reading in the daylight.
New York Public Library, New York, New York, United States
Visitors per year: 18 million
View this post on Instagram“These hallowed halls were my favorite passport stamps.” We couldn’t ask for a higher compliment! . . . #Repost @africanboheme with @get_repost ・・・ When I was a kid I wanted to be an Egyptologist I devoured every myth and legend I could get my hand on. My love of deities grew to include Greco Roman pantheons as well. I spent hours in this library falling in love with worlds I’d one day see. I wept at the ruins in Athens, these hallowed halls were my favorite passport stamps. On a mission to fall in love with my city all over again. Pc @tokyoflo
Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, New York, United States
Visitors per year: 8.1 million
View this post on Instagram北京·国家图书馆 Beijing·National Library of China #beijing #北京 #china #中国 #instagood #instabeijing #instatravel #thatsbeijing #travel2china #natgeo #insearchofchina #travel #nationallibrary #visitbeijing #美丽中国 #natgeoyourshot #justgoshoot #library #instachina #timeoutbeijing #NLC #igersbeijing #beijinger #ig_beijing #ongooglemaps #chinainsider #nationallibraryofchina #insta_china #chinadestinations #国家图书馆
National Library of China, Beijing, China
Visitors per year: 5.6 million
View this post on InstagramTook a look around the State Library 📚 ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ #melbourne #statelibraryofvictoria🏛
State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Visitors per year: 2 million
View this post on InstagramWhen in Washington DC, come visit what some call the most beautiful building in America: the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress.
Library of Congress, Washington D.C., United States
Visitors per year: 1.9 million
View this post on InstagramToday we turn 21! We had our official Royal Opening #onthisday in 1998. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The six-storey glass tower at the heart of the British Library houses the King’s Library. This is a collection of over 85,000 printed books and pamphlets formed by George III, king of Great Britain and Ireland from 1760 to 1820. After George III’s death, the collection was presented to the Nation by his son, George IV. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The British Museum accepted the books and constructed the King’s Library Gallery to accommodate them. Custodianship passed to the new British Library in 1973, and the collection was moved to the purpose-built King’s Library Tower in 1998. Here they are stored in the best possible preservation conditions in terms of temperature, humidity, and light levels.
British Library, London, United Kingdom
Visitors per year: 1.5 million
View this post on InstagramPerspective inside the Royal Library 🔍
Royal Danish Library, Copenhagen, Denmark
Visitors per year: 1.44 million
View this post on InstagramAufgang zum Vestitbül im Haus Unter den Linden nach der Eröffnung 1914 #treppenhausfreitag #staatsbibliothekzuberlin #stabi #stabiberlin #berlinstatelibrary #library #bibliotheken #bibliotheksarchitektur #unterdenlinden #berlin #berlinstagram #awesomeberlin #berlin365 #berlincity #berlinmitte #studiereninberlin #hiddenplaces #geheimeorte #berlinview #altesberlin #historicalberlin #bibliotheksgeschichte
Berlin State Library, Berlin, Germany
Visitors per year: 1.4 million
View this post on InstagramУ меня есть традиция – по возможности, в тех городах где я бываю, заходить в библиотеки, ведь это часто очень и очень красиво. И читальный зал Национальной библиотеки на улице Ришелье в Париже, я уже показывала в прошлый раз, но в этот раз мы тоже зашли полюбоваться ажурной красотой поснимать побольше. . Автор этой красоты – Анри Лабруст – французский архитектор 19-го века, который один из первых осознал важность железных конструкций. В 1840-е годы он создал библиотеку Сорбонны (туда я пока не добралась). И после этого Лабрусту заказали перестройку Национальной библиотеки на улице Ришелье, реконструкция длилась с 1860 по 1868 гг. . Этот комплекс, размещенный во внутреннем дворе дворца Мазарини, состоял из читального зала с крышей из девяти украшенных металлических сводов из железа и стекла, поддерживаемых 16 тонкими колоннами из железа, покрытого гипсом, и многоэтажных стеллажей из чугуна и сварочного железа. . Конструкция читального зала отвечает тем же принципам, которые были уже применены Лабрустом в библиотеке Св. Женевьевы: металлический каркас заключен в оболочку из массивных стен. Высокие стройные колонны: 30 сантиметров в диаметре и почти 10 метров высотой, придают помещению воздушную легкость. Колонны соединены между собой посредством арок полуциркульного очертания, образуя девять легких сводов, напоминающих своды Воспитательного дома во Флоренции работы Брунеллески. Сферические своды выполнены Лабрустом из тонких фаянсовых плит; в центре каждого свода имеется круглое отверстие, как в римском Пантеоне. Таким образом, обеспечивается равномерная освещенность всех столов в читальном зале. . Посмотреть и поснимать читальный зал может любой желающий, совершенно бесплатно, от турникета на входе. . #Nikonrussia #Nikkor #D810 #Nikonlens
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Paris, France
Visitors per year: 1.15 million
Bonus: The World’s Smallest Library
View this post on InstagramSmall and mighty. The Hogsback Library in South Africa is said to be the smallest library in the world. You have to be incredibly lucky and punctual to visit Hogsback as it opens only two days a week, for one hour on each day. – Photo credit: @pinterest
Hogsback Library, South Africa
Hogsback Library lies in a small village in the South African mountains and has the most restrictive opening times of any library. It is open 3:00–4:00 pm on a Wednesdays and 9:30-10:30 am Saturdays. I guess I’ll just be over here not complaining about my local library’s opening hours.
