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50 Of The Most Stunning And Impressive Bookstores And Libraries
Interview With Expert
Albert Einstein once said, “The only thing you absolutely have to know is where the library is.” And he couldn’t be more right, as even in the digital age, libraries remain important community hubs providing knowledge and other useful resources (at no cost!) that are essential to lifelong education and learning.
To rekindle our appreciation for libraries, our Bored Panda team compiled a list of the dreamiest ones that look absolutely magical. Scroll down to find them below, and don’t forget to upvote those you’d definitely want to visit!
While you're at it, be sure to check out a conversation with librarians William Ottens and Dr. Karina Quilantan-Garza, who kindly agreed to chat with us more about libraries.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Corner Bookstore Selling Vintage Books In Buxton, A Market Town In High Peak, Derbyshire, England
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#2
Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland
#3
Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal
"I found myself interested in librarianship when I worked as a reading teacher," librarian Dr. Karina Quilantan-Garza tells us.
"The schools I worked for did not employ full-time school librarians, and that made it difficult to promote a love of reading with my students. After speaking to a fellow colleague going through a school librarian program, she encouraged me to apply.
I've been a librarian for 10 years, and in that time, I have enjoyed connecting students with books they love, technology resources that enhance their productivity, and opportunities that showcase their creativity," she fondly shares.
#4
Juristische Bibliothek, Munich, Germany
#5
Used (Books) Bookstore In Edinburgh, Scotland
Similarly, librarian William Ottens was intrigued by the prospect of becoming a teacher but changed his mind when he realized there was an increasing focus on standardized testing.
"I decided then that I wanted to work where people came to learn because they want to, not because they were required to. For me, that was a library. I really enjoy helping people learn and discover new ideas."
#7
Stift Admont Bibliothek And Museum, Admont, Austria
StrangeOne 5 days ago
This must have been the inspiration of the castle library in Beauty and The Beast.
#8
Netherlands Bookstore
Both librarians agree that even amidst technological changes and digitization, the importance of libraries remains.
"Libraries are just as important as they've ever been, if not more. With inflation, it's costing more and more to just live, and libraries provide equitable access to information, education, and entertainment with no up-front cost to the user. Beyond the materials, services, and programs they provide, they're one of the only places you can go and exist and just be without the expectation to purchase something," says William.
#10
Perhaps One Of The Most Beautiful Bookstores In Europe, Cărturești Carusel, In Bucharest
#11
New Bookstore In Chengdu, China
#12
The Book Of Kells, Dublin, Ireland
"Libraries are culture shapers and catalysts that help society form its values, knowledge base, and sense of community," Dr. Karina adds.
"They provide free access to information, support lifelong learning, and promote literacy for people of all ages and backgrounds. They are spaces of refuge for people who need a place to belong."
#13
"Word On The Water" The Floating Bookshop On The Regent's Canal, London, United Kingdom
#14
The Old Cincinnati Library Before Being Demolished, United States
#15
The King's Reference Library, Denmark
That said, libraries have to put a lot of effort into remaining relevant and helpful in the modern age.
"In a time when misinformation is widespread, libraries are the first stop for finding accurate information. Beyond books, libraries have positioned themselves as innovative hubs for learning by acquiring modern and emerging technologies. Many now offer access to e-books, online databases, virtual classes, and even makerspaces with tools like 3D printers and coding software," explains Dr. Karina.
"They also help bridge the digital divide by providing internet access and digital literacy training for those who need it most. As society becomes more reliant on technology, libraries will remain essential—not just as places for reading and research, but as inclusive, adaptable centers for education, innovation, and community connection."
#17
El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina
"The relevance of libraries has been questioned since the dawn of the Internet. While books and materials are at the center of what libraries are and have been, it's really about access to reliable, accurate information and resources," William agrees.
"Libraries are places where people connect with each other, learn, and improve their lives. As long as there's a need for that, libraries will remain essential."
#19
Haunted Bookshop, Cambridge, United Kingdom
#20
Antlantis Books, Oia, Santorini, Greece
#21
The New York Public Library, New York, United States
David 4 days ago
One of the greatest libraries in the world. They have an original Maga Carta, several original prints of Shakespeare, a Guttenberg Bible, the original drafts of Mary Wollstonecraft writings, the entire collection of first prints of Voltaire, the original Winnie the P*o doll, etc. Not to mention it also has a regular library section with thousands of books any NYC resident can take out.
Lastly, we couldn't let these librarians go without asking about their favorite library and if they have one they dream of visiting.
"I love libraries of all shapes and sizes and visit them wherever I go. I'd give a shout out to the Kansas City (Missouri) Public Library's Central Library, the St. Louis Public Library Central Branch, the Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Central Library, and the Seattle Public Library's Central Library as must-see large libraries," William suggests.
"On a smaller scale, the Lawrence (Kansas Public Library), the Mid-Continent Public Library's Green Hills Library, and the Basehor Community Library (where I work) are just as neat!"
#22
Istanbul University Library, Turkey
#23
The Corner Bookstore, Manhattan
#24
Starfield Suwon Library, Suwon, South Korea
Dr. Karina's dream would be to visit the Library of Alexandria, if it still existed, that is.
"I dream of visiting ancient libraries to learn about ancient traditions, cultures, and history. Imagine all the things we could have learned if it still stood."
#26
Snowy Book Stand In Madrid, Spain
#27
Boston Public Library, Boston, United States
Joanne Mendonza-Earle 4 days ago
I went to Emerson College in the 80s and went to the BPL many times to do research for papers and classes.
#28
Bath Old Books, United Kingdom
#29
Library Of Congress, Washington, D.c., United States
#31
Waterstones, Bradford, England
Forrest Hobbs 4 days ago
That's Bradford's former wool exchange - the place wool was traded; wool production had been hugely lucractive in Yorkshire for centuries by the time that place was built in the 1860s. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool_Exchange,_Bradford and https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186408-d4302938-Reviews-Waterstones_Bradford-Bradford_West_Yorkshire_England.html
#32
Shakespeare & Co Books, Paris, France
#34
Coziest Bookstore I’ve Ever Seen
#38
Brattle Book Shop, Boston, USA
Randy Kilgore 5 days ago
What a joy this place is to visit, but this doesn't represent it well. The bookstore is actually on the left inside the building. This alley is where they roll out or shelve hundreds/thousands of books priced from $5 to $3 to $1. I shopped there for years and found remarkable first editions, rare books, autographed books, etc. Their staff sorts out the thousands of books they receive and make their best guess as to rare, unusual, etc. and then put the rest of them outside (on days the weather permits.) I built up a huge library of missionary biographies (a personal interest) from the 1800's on, had dozens of classis first editions and unusual titles. Eventually gave the missionary library to a Christian library in California as many were one-of-a-kind titles with stories too good for me to hoard in a personal library. Not all missionaries were terrible (though sadly, many were).
#39
The Norwegian Book Town
Huddo's sister 3 days ago
I looked into it "Books on the pier, bookshelves at bus stops, book cafés, and even a book hotel! Not to mention all the second-hand shops full of books in different languages and exciting literary events and festivals...charming southern town of Tvedestrand" https://www.visitnorway.com/things-to-do/art-culture/literature/book-towns/ Reminds me of a festival in the Victorian town of Clunes, where my cousin did a book signing last year. https://clunesbooktown.org.au/
#41
Itap In A Bookstore, Osaka, Japan
#42
Cook&book, Brussels, Belgium
#43
The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles, United States
Dee Rutherford 4 days ago
Oh, the urge to straighten that book cart in the middle of this pic.
#46
Zhongshuge Bookstore, Beijing, China
#47
Chongqing Bookstore, China
#49
Honesty Bookshop, Hay Castle, Wales
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What do you think ?
Mamie Van Boring 5 days ago
Disappointed that Barter Books, Alnwick was not on the list. It's a secondhand bookshop where you can buy or trade in books. It's in an old train station and has model trains all over the place as well as a lovely cosy cafe.
Princess Possum 4 days ago
Should include the South Caroliniana Library at the University of South Carolina. The oldest freestanding academic library in the US and a little jewel of a building, built in 1840. Just reopened in 2023 after extensive renovation and restoration. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CSujHQVm6/
Mamie Van Boring 5 days ago
Disappointed that Barter Books, Alnwick was not on the list. It's a secondhand bookshop where you can buy or trade in books. It's in an old train station and has model trains all over the place as well as a lovely cosy cafe.
Princess Possum 4 days ago
Should include the South Caroliniana Library at the University of South Carolina. The oldest freestanding academic library in the US and a little jewel of a building, built in 1840. Just reopened in 2023 after extensive renovation and restoration. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CSujHQVm6/
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