A library is a place where you have collections of books and other materials made accessible to people. These materials could be in both soft and hard copies.
A library could be a physical location, virtual, or even both. However, the libraries discussed in this article are all physical libraries founded centuries ago except Joe and Rika Mansueto Library and the British Library established decades ago.
These libraries have ancient records, rare books, and other learning materials you won’t just find anywhere.
Below are the largest libraries in the world:
1. Library of Congress
The leading library among the largest libraries in the world is the “Library of Congress.” It was founded in 1800; and located in Washington D.C, United States. The Library of Congress is the oldest cultural institution in the United States.
This library provides Congress with objective research that aids the legislative process. It manages collections of recordings, manuscripts, maps, and books around the world. It also administers the national copyright system.
2. British Library
The British Library is the second largest library in the world. It is a research library founded in 1973. The British Library has between 170 to 200 million catalogues. The library has items in many languages which include both print and digital formats.
3. National Library of St. Mark
The National Library of St. Mark was founded in 1468. It is one of the earliest existing public libraries in the world that has the most important collections of classical texts. It is located in Venice; named after St. Mark, the patron saint of the city.
4. Trinity College Library
Trinity College Library is a copyright or legal deposit library that enables publishers in Ireland to submit a copy of all their publications. It was established in 1592 in Dublin. It contains over 6 million printed works.
5. Joe and Rika Mansueto Library
This library was established in 2011. It is a storage library at the University of Chicago with a capacity of about 3.5 million volumes. Joe and Rika Mansueto Library was named after Joe Mansueto, an American billionaire entrepreneur, and Rika Mansueto, his wife — they are both alumni of the University of Chicago.
READ ALSO: 10 Best Libraries in London with Expansive Collections for Focused Research
6. Bodleian Library
Bodleian Library was founded in 1602 by Sir Thomas Bodley. It is the main research library of the University of Oxford with over 13 million printed items. It is the second largest library in Britain after the British Library while it is the 6th in the world. It has many manuscripts and items from the third century B.C.
7. Vatican Library
The Vatican Library was established in 1475 in Vatican City. It is a research library for law, philosophy, science, history, and theology. It is widely known as one of the world’s top manuscript depositories.
8. Yale University Beinecke Library
This library is a literary archive and a rare book library of the Yale University Library in New Haven, Connecticut. Yale University Beinecke Library has collections of over three centuries used for teaching. Rare manuscripts and books can be found there.
9. Boston Public Library
Boston Public Library was founded in 1848 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was the first and free public library in America. It was also the first to have a children’s room, give out books, and have a branch library.
10. New York Public Library
As one of the largest libraries in the United States, New York Public Library is the tenth in the world. It has research centers, historical collections, letters, and manuscripts.
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