Book Lovers: 10 Libraries Around The World That You Need To Visit - Updated 2024

Book lovers: 10 libraries around the world that you need to visit
Nina
Nina 
Updated
| 3 min read

A library is a haven for book- lovers. It’s the perfect place to go when you need in-depth information on a certain subject or you simply want to sit down and read a good book. While there are thousands of libraries in the world, we’ve picked out the 10 best that are a must-visit.

1. Boston Public Library

Boston Public Library Reading Room
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Brian Johnson used under CC BY-SA 3.0

An Italian-inspired structure, this library has over 23 million items, including rare manuscripts, print, and original musical scores in Boston, Massachusetts. Built in 1848, the old-school library is the second largest in the United States, and free for public use. The reading room itself exudes an appealing vibe and is just perfect for getting lost in a good book.

Boston Public Library

Address: 700 Boylston St, 02116 Boston, Massachusetts

Phone Number: +1 617-536-5400

Website: Boston Public Library

2. Stuttgart City Library

Stuttgart Library
Source: Pixabay

Inside this 9-story library in Germany are walls painted in all-white. The only colors you’ll see are the book spines. The all-white decor is to create a continuum inside the room. This cube-shaped library will amaze you after dark, especially when the building comes alive with blue lights. Equipped with cafés, meeting rooms, and even a rooftop space, it offers all amenities for you to stay up reading all night long. In fact, they have a designated area for readers and a collection of books available for reading after hours.

Stuttgart City Library

Address: Mailänder Platz 1, 70173 Stuttgart, Germany

Phone Number: +49 711 21691100

Website: Stuttgart City Library(in German)

3. Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library

Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Lauren Manning used under CC BY 2.0

Yale University keeps its literary archives and old manuscripts at Beinecke Rare Book Library. A favorite with the researchers, this library also lives up to its name as it actually houses rare documents and books. In fact, this building was built to preserve precious books and items from the past. One of the Gutenberg bible is inside this building. Rare maps and medieval manuscripts are also found here.

Beinecke Rare Book Library

Address: 121 Wall St, New Haven, CT 06511, USA

Phone Number: +1 203-432-2977

Website: Beinecke Rare Book Library

4. Trinity College Dublin Library

Long Room Interior, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland - Diliff
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Diliff used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The famous Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript that contains four gospels of the new testament, is inside the Trinity College Library. It’s the largest library in England and has a jaw-dropping collection of 200,000 old books. Trinity College is called Ireland’s ‘copyright library’ as the newly published books are sent here. The lavish and distinctive interiors are exceptional, and is definitely worth a visit.

Trinity College Dublin Library

Address: Trinity College Dublin, College Street, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland

Phone Number: +353 1 896 1127

Website: Trinity College Dublin Library

5. New York Public Library

Grand Study Hall, New York Public Library (5914733818)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Alex Proimos used under CC BY 2.0

New York Public Library is the third largest in the world. The reading room alone is so large it can fit about 42 long wooden tables for the visitors. It holds about a whopping 53 million items inside.

You’ll know it’s New York Public Library when you see sculptures of two stone lions outside the building. These were completed in 1911, and the building exudes an old-world feel because of the grand chandeliers and wooden shelves. Do you want a tour of the library? Try going before 11am every day, except Sundays, to get a one-hour free tour.

New York Public Library

Address: 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018, USA

Website: New York Public Library

6. Vancouver Public Library

Vancouver Public Library Atrium
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Andrew Raun used under CC BY-SA 2.0

This library has over 1.3 million materials for viewing. The building also has restaurants, retails shops, and even a rooftop garden. Designed by architect, Moshe Safdie, it showcases quite a unique feature of in-house bridges connecting the study areas. The landmark also boasts an enviable collection of online resources, but book lovers will always gravitate towards the smell of well-thumbed books. A must-visit when in the Canadian territories.

Vancouver Public Library

Address: 350 West Georgia Street, V6B 6B1 Vancouver, British Columbia

Phone Number: +1 604-331-3603

Website: Vancouver Public Library

7. Library of Congress

Library of Congress
Source: Photo by Flickr user Phil Roeder used under CC BY 2.0

The Library of Congress was completed in 1897 and is the largest library in the whole world - both in terms of number of books and shelf space. They have several beautifully structured buildings that feature intricate interiors. When you visit the Library of Congress, go to the Thomas Jefferson building which is the oldest federal institution and the most beautiful. And don’t forget to stay a couple of hours to read!

Library of Congress

Address: 101 Independence Ave SE, 20540 Washington, District of Columbia

Phone Number: +1 202-707-5000

Website: Library of Congress

8. National Library of Bhutan

National Library-Thimphu-Bhutan-2008 01 23
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Christopher J. Fynn used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Established in 1967, this institution of learning is home to over 6000 Bhutanese and Tibetan books. If you like Buddhism literature, National Library of Bhutan is the place to be, and has a massive collection of historic books and traditional manuscripts. This building serves as a temple as well, as the structures and historic photos are meant to represent Buddha’s teachings.

National Library of Bhutan

Address: PO Box 185, Pedzoe Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

Phone Number: +975 02-333301

Website: National Library of Bhutan

9. Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Bibliotheca Alexandrina plaza 003
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Moushira used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

By far one of the coolest libraries in the world, Bibliotheca Alexandrina reopened its gates in 2002. The original one was ruined more than 1500 years ago. Shaped like a disc, the reading room faces the sea. You’ll also find letters and characters from different languages within this strikingly beautiful building. Apart from that, the library also houses four museums, academic centers, and a planetarium. You can even educate yourself about Egypt’s heritage via multimedia presentations.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Address: Al Azaritah WA Ash Shatebi, Qesm Bab Sharqi, Alexandria Governorate 21526, Egypt

Phone Number: +20 3-4839999

Website: Bibliotheca Alexandrina

10. Bodleian Library in Oxford University

Convocation House 1, Bodleian Library, Oxford, UK - Diliff
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Diliff used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Remember the library that featured in the Harry Potter movies? That’s Bodleian Library in Oxford, England! This library isn’t only popular with movies - kings, scholars, prime ministers, and even Nobel winners studied here. The ambiance is perfect for thumbing through some old favorites or picking up a new one.

Bodleian Library

Address: Broad Street, OX1 3 Oxford, Oxfordshire

Phone Number: +44 1865-277000

Website: Bodleian Library

Calling out to the reader in you

The world is your oyster! The best part, for a book lover, is getting to reach the books of a new city, along with the sights. If these exceptional buildings, housing thousands of books, appeal to the reader in you, pack your bags and start visiting. With so many choices and a cozy reading room, who would not be happy? So, happy reading!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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