What is the largest national library in the U.S.?
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Beyond books: 11 breathtaking libraries you are going to want to visit
Whether you're a book lover or not, there's something magical about stepping into a beautiful library—the scent of old volumes, the quiet hum of readers, and the sheer architectural grandeur. Some libraries across the US are among the most enchanting places you can walk into. Here is a list of 11 stunning libraries worth exploring, even if you're not a bookworm!
Image: Clay Banks
Library of Congress
Of course—the beating heart of American knowledge! As the largest library in the country and the world, it holds millions of books, rare manuscripts, and historical treasures.
Its grandeur isn’t just in its collection. Take the Thomas Jefferson Building: with its elaborate ceilings, marble columns, and frescoes, stepping inside feels like walking into a cathedral. Ever wanted to see an original Gutenberg Bible? This is the place.
Image: Vincent Yuan @USA
New York Public Library
Patience and Fortitude stand guard—those are the two iconic stone lions flanking the entrance. The New York Public Library’s main branch is a true city landmark.
Step inside the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, with its grand marble-lined halls and sweeping staircases. Don’t miss the Rose Main Reading Room—an awe-inspiring space adorned with murals, chandeliers, and rows of inviting wooden tables.
Image: Ran Ding
Boston Public Library
A library so impressive it feels like it should charge an admission fee—but lucky for us, it doesn’t! Established in 1848, it was the first large free municipal library in the United States.
It’s home to Bates Hall, a stunning reading room with soaring barrel-vaulted ceilings and warm oak tables—a dream setting for book lovers.
Image: Wendy Wei
Seattle Central Library
A sharp contrast to the historic beauties on this list, but no less worthy of inclusion. The Seattle Central Library is a futuristic masterpiece.
Designed by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas, its bold glass-and-steel exterior is impossible to miss. Inside, multi-level platforms create a space that feels more like a sci-fi movie set than a traditional library.
Image: Sylvia Yang
Geisel Library at the University of California, San Diego
Named after none other than Dr. Seuss himself (real name: Theodor Geisel) and his wife, Audrey, this library looks like something straight out of a sci-fi novel.
Its unique Brutalist-meets-futuristic design makes it one of UCSD’s most recognizable landmarks. It houses an extensive collection—but let’s be honest, the main draw is the building itself. It’s an architectural oddity that feels both retro and futuristic at the same time.
Image: Jeremy Huang
George Peabody Library
Some libraries feel grand, but this one feels magical. Tucked away in Baltimore, the George Peabody Library is known for its soaring atrium, lined with six stories of cast-iron balconies adorned with gilded accents.
The library’s collection specializes in 19th-century literature—but honestly, most visitors come just to soak in its beauty. It’s a book lover’s dream come to life.
Image: Elijah Hail
Iowa State Law Library
Hidden inside the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, this library is a Victorian-era gem—think spiral staircases, intricate ironwork, and rows of leather-bound books stretching to the ceiling.
It may be lesser-known than others on this list, but it perfectly illustrates how libraries can be both functional and visually captivating. This setting alone makes you not mind so much having to do legal research.
Image: Muhammed A. Mustapha
Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
This is no ordinary library—as you can plainly see. It’s an architectural marvel. Located at Yale University, the Beinecke Library is famous for its translucent marble panels, which bathe the interior in a soft, golden glow.
Image: Tim Bish
Morgan Library & Museum
Walking into the Morgan Library feels like stepping into a European palace—pure Gilded Age opulence with ceiling frescoes, carved wood, and velvet drapes.
Originally J.P. Morgan’s personal book collection, it is now a New York City landmark and museum showcasing rare manuscripts, original works by Dickens and Austen, and even handwritten music by Mozart!
Image: mana5280
William W. Cook Legal Library
Some law libraries are dull and purely functional. This is not one of them. Located at the University of Michigan, the Cook Legal Library is a Gothic gem with towering stained-glass windows, massive oak tables, and cathedral-like reading halls.
The architecture alone makes studying law feel a bit more poetic, but it’s also one of the finest academic law libraries in the country.
Image: Mathew Schwartz
Suzzallo and Allen Libraries
This one looks like a place to learn witchcraft and sorcery, doesn’t it? Part of the University of Washington in Seattle, the Suzzallo and Allen Libraries feature a Reading Room that is a Gothic architectural masterpiece, with soaring ceilings and stained-glass windows.
Image: Cameron Stewart
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