Top 10 Libreries

These libraries will impressive even the hardest of high school bullies.

 

It’s hard sometimes to find a good book to read. And even if you make it to one of these amazing libraries, it may be hard to keep your eyes on the shelves.

10. Ulm, Germany

Wiblingen Monastery Library in Ulm Germany is a rich and beautiful part of the Wiblingen Abbey and the University of Ulm. The exquisitely decorated Library is home to many an important manuscript.

9. Dublin, Ireland

Trinity College Library, (The Long Room) Dublin, Ireland is a legal library for the United Kingdom and Ireland. It houses four and half million printed volumes of manuscripts, music and maps.

8. Ottawa, ON

When the Parliament of Canada need to know they head for the Library of Parliament. The Ottawa, Canada library was built in 1876 and received a couple of face lifts, most recently in 2006. If you can’t get there, you could snag a Canadian ten-dollar bill. The Canadian icon is pictured there.

7. Melk, Austria

Melk Monastery Library, Melk, Austria as part of the Stift Melk, a Benedictine Abbey the Melk Library is the oldest library in Europe. It was founded in the 12th Century along with the abbey’s school. It could just be the one Maria Von Trap used to hang out in.

6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

If you are into art history the Rijkmuseum Library in Amsterdam is overflowing with exhibitions and collections of books and periodicals. Keep your library card at home though; there is no checking books out at this 1885 library. You can read and do your home work in the available reading rooms only.

5. Wolfenbuttle, Germany

Herzog August Library has one of the largest collections of ancient books in the world, hand written or single sheet texts, and over 10 thousand manuscripts. The Wolfenbuttle, Germany Bibliothek is home to the bible belonging to Henry the Lion. The Holy Book , from the year 1170, remains in near mint condition.

4. Prague, Czech Republic

Strahov Monastery – Theological Library, Prague, Czech Republic houses the oldest, collection of literature in the Czech Republic. Some of the texts are hundreds of years old, the Monastery and Library date back to the 12th Century.

3. Coimbra, Portugal

Biblioteca Geral University of Coimbra, in Coimbra Portugal has gone through a number of renovations and changes since it was first established in 1537. The most important change of all in 1597 when the library was became a “public library for lecturers, students and everyone else!

2. St. Gallen, Switzerland

Abbey Library St. Gallen, Switzerland: The Abby itself has been in existence since 719, so you can imagine the history that is stored within the walls of this library. It claims fame as one of the richest medieval libraries in the world.

1. Baltimore, Maryland

George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland began its life as part of the Peabody Institute dedicated by Massachusetts born George Peabody. The design includes five tiers of cast-iron balconies rising toward the 61 foot high sky light. Oh and they have some books there too!