Welcome to National Library Week, April 6-12 in the U.S. I hope you’ve taken a few moments this week to appreciate the wonderful, wonderful world that is a library and, of course, thank a librarian!

While the collection and the library staff always top my “what makes a library great” list, the appearance of the library—whether it’s the classical façade, harmonious study spaces, impressively tall stacks, or how the sunlight tilts on the polished hardwood floors—always increases my library joy.

This NLW, let’s look at some distractingly gorgeous library buildings and grounds!

Austria’s Admont Monastery Library via stiftadmont.at

I can’t imagine that I’d ever need to research through the manuscripts or incunabula in Austria’s Admont Monastery Library, and that’s just as well, because with such a gorgeous interior, I don’t think I could focus on research. Frescos! Statuary! Flooring! It looks like this “Eighth Wonder of the World” has it all! If you’d like a virtual browse through the books, here you go.

 

The Huntington via huntington.org/library

I’ve been wanting to visit The Huntington Library for years and am grateful that it eluded the recent LA wildfires. Self-described as “one of the world’s great independent research libraries”, the library has “some 12 million items spanning the 11th to the 21st centuries”. In addition to the library, there are numerous art galleries and “130 acres of breathtaking botanical gardens”. Quite the Southern California respite!

 

 

Duke Humphrey’s Library via Wikipedia

Oxford University’s Duke Humphrey’s Library is the oldest reading room of the university’s Bodleian Library. “The Library consists of the original medieval section (1487), the Arts End (1612), and the Selden End (1637). It houses collections of maps, music, Western manuscripts, and theology and art materials.” (Wikipedia)

 

NYPL via Wikipedia

I can’t not mention the New York Main Public Library (the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue), because…those lions! And ceilings! And the Rose Main Reading Room! And fancy special events!

 

Peabody Library via Wikipedia

The totally glorious Peabody Library in Baltimore, Maryland, is affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, but is open to the public! This “cathedral of books” was completed in 1878, and this 360degree view of the reading room is pretty fun.

 

via citedelarchitecture.fr/en

With “an extensive collection devoted to contemporary architecture, urbanism and landscaping” Paris’s Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine definitely interests me. And the building is not too shabby either!

Stuttgart’s Public Library via instagram.com/archidesiign

If over-sized mahogany bookcases and ornate, museum-quality ceilings are not your cup of tea, may I suggest Stuttgart, Germany’s Public Library? Constructed in 2011, this huge, almost blindingly-white cube (inside and out) offers a fresh, calm, and minimal environment. We may not consider it traditionally gorgeous, but it can certainly be distracting.

 

Library of Congress via loc.gov

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the U.S. Library of Congress. Definitely one of the most gorgeous libraries in the world!

Gone, But Not Forgotten

Finally, I must mention the Hayward (CA) public library of my childhood. I’m guessing that any library or bookmobile is a paradise to a young child, but the Hayward Main Library was both a home and a refuge to me. Not only did I take home an armload of books every visit, but the 1950 building stood on a entire city block of beautiful trees, lawns, and benches. Paradise!

Hayward Public Library (non-extant) via flickr

Finis!