If there’s anything the editors of BestMastersPrograms.org love more than classes and books, it’s universities and libraries. It’s no surprise, then, that university libraries rank right up there among our favorite places. We’ve researched the most interesting, intriguing, and beautiful college libraries from around the globe to come up with this list of the 50 most amazing university libraries in the world. This is the biggest, most comprehensive list of its kind. If you love university libraries as much as we do, then you’re going to love this!
UNAM’s Central University City Campus Library (Mexico City, Mexico)
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The UNAM Central University City Campus Library in Mexico City is part of the group of unique architectural structures that earned the UNAM campus recognition as a World Heritage site. In contrast to the majority of other buildings on the campus, the library is a towering square-shaped structure adorned with various murals painted by famous muralist Juan O’Gorman. The height, shape and artistic design of the building help it stand out from the rest. The library was moved from its previous location in the Mexico City Center, where it had been for half a century, to its current location in 1956. It houses more than 400,000 volumes.
Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada)
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The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto houses Canada’s largest collection of historic and publicly accessible books. The library’s comprehensive collection includes religious manuscripts, groundbreaking scientific documents, political writings and exquisite etchings from the 17th century. Some of the most notable pieces in the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library include original Shakespeare folios, a proof copy of Darwin’s Origin of Species, Newton’s Principia Mathematica and two copies of the Nuremberg Chronicle that date back to 1493. The collection also features fragments of Egyptian papyrus manuscripts, rare Hebraica and Judaica documents and 25,000 political publications that are part of the Robert S. Kenny Collection.
Tama Art University Library (Tokyo, Japan)
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If you thought that all university libraries were the same, then you haven’t seen the Tama Art University Library in Tokyo, Japan. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito, the iconic concrete and glass structure boasts more than 60,000 square feet of floor space on two cavernous levels. While the building’s exterior resembles a cube-shaped Colosseum, vaulted ceilings and hundreds of arches give its interior the appearance of a medieval European cathedral. Easily among the world’s most fascinating university libraries.
Philological Library of the Free University (Berlin, Germany)
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The stunning design and masterful architecture of the Philological Library of the Free University in Berlin has earned it a place among the most interesting and dynamic libraries in Germany. Master architect Norman Foster skillfully designed the library in the shape of the human brain. The library, constructed in 2005, was immediately nicknamed the Berlin Brain. It contains four floors within a ventilated bubble-like canopy, and the inner membrane is constructed of translucent glass that filters the sun to allow for an atmosphere conducive to concentration. Transparent openings scattered throughout allow for momentary glimpses of daylight. The Philological Library houses more than 700,000 volumes and serves as an architectural landmark in Berlin.
Magdalen College Old Library at Oxford University (Oxford, UK)
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Oxford University is famous for its academic programs, but it’s also known for its outstanding libraries that are said to include more than 11 million books. The Old Library at Magdalen College is the crown jewel of the university’s library system. Magdalen’s Old Library contains more than 20,000 rare books and manuscripts. Nearly all of these volumes were published before 1800. The Magdalen College Old Library is said to be one of the most beautiful libraries in the world with its studious interior and dramatic Gothic Revival exterior. However, those who’d like to catch a glimpse of the storied space must request an appointment to view the library’s special collection.
Balme Library at the University of Ghana (Ghana, West Africa)
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Used by students, researchers, faculty and staff members, the Balme Library at the University of Ghana is one of Africa’s premier research libraries. The library was built in the 1940s and has grown to include more than 100,000 books, 500 microfilms, a variety of rare manuscripts and an extensive assortment of electronic titles. Ghana’s Balme Library has six departments, a special collection and a student reading room that is open 24 hours a day. The library’s comprehensive inventory includes a wide variety of subjects and specialized volumes that are part of the United Nations Regional Depository and the World Bank collection.
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University (New Haven, CT)
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The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut was built over a three-year period beginning in 1960. The funding for the building was sourced from Yale alumni. Because it is used to house rare books that could easily be damaged, there are precise temperature and humidity controls throughout the entire building. Students are not allowed to take out any of the materials that are housed in the library’s underground storage and tower areas. However, rare books and manuscripts located in the library are available to be examined in the Reading Room. The building is made of light-colored marble that helps keep the volumes from being damaged by the sun.
University of Salamanca Library (Salamanca, Spain)
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Situated in the heart of the university’s historical center, the University of Salamanca Library is one of the most beautiful libraries in all of Spain. The old library, constructed in the 15th century, boasted the famous “EL Cielo de Salamanca” ceiling painting. While most of this painting collapsed during the library’s reconstruction in the 18th century, a portion remained hidden for nearly 200 years behind the ceiling of the new structure. The painting was restored and transferred to the university’s museum. This historic university library holds more than 160,000 volumes, many of which date back as far as the 11th century.
The University of Coimbra General Library (Coimbra, Portugal)
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The University of Coimbra General Library serves as the second largest library in Portugal. The library was first established in 1537 and is divided into two separate buildings. Edificio Novo is the newer building constructed in 1962. It houses more than a million volumes on four floors. Biblioteca Joanina, named in behalf of King João V, was established in the first part of the 18th century. This Baroque building contains more than 200,000 books printed before 1800. The Biblioteca Joanina boasts exquisite architecture and design with three great rooms, ornate arches, rich wood and gilt accents. The coat of arms of King João V is displayed over the front door.
Misr University for Science and Technology Library (6th of October City, Egypt)
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The Misr University for Science and Technology Library in Egypt exhibits a unique and modern design with up-to-date facilities. The skylights in the building are shaped like pyramids, combining a subtle touch of Egyptian history with modern technology and science. These interesting and unusual skylights allow natural light to flow into the library. A hall in the library has been transformed into a museum where replicas of Egypt’s most important and influential monuments can be viewed. The library is not limited to use by students at the university. Community members and researchers from all over the world are welcome to use the library’s services.
Old Library at St. John’s College of Cambridge University (Cambridge, UK)
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The Old Library of St. John’s College at Cambridge University is one of the oldest and most exquisite libraries in the UK. Constructed in 1624, the Jacobean Gothic style building is 110 feet in length and 30 feet wide. The tall windows in the library are reminiscent of Gothic Revival architecture, though the beautiful building’s facade seems to have been inspired by the Renaissance period. Cambridge University’s double-manual harpsichord is housed in the library, as well as 42 bookcases. While the Old Library no longer serves as a functioning library, it is opened throughout the week to members of the university and guests.
Jacob-und-Wilhelm-Grimm-Zentrum at Humboldt University (Berlin, Germany)
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The impressively large Jacob-und-Wilhelm-Grimm-Zentrum covers 20,000 square meters of floor space in the heart of Berlin. The library includes 12 distinct departments under one roof. There are more than 1,250 workstations and 500 research computers. Wireless access is available throughout the building, and all of the books are publicly accessible. All in all, the Jacob-und-Wilhelm-Grimm-Zentrum has more than 2.5 million volumes and issues from 2,400 periodicals. This amazing library and study center is the largest and most accessible in Germany. The complete contents of several economics, social science, culture and humanities libraries can be found in this educational center.
József Attila Study and Information Centre at the University of Szeged (Szeged, Hungary)
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Constructed in 2004, the József Attila Study and Information Centre at the University of Szeged in Hungary receives an incredible 5,000 visitors a day. Originally a non-profit investment, the center’s success has allowed it to become a profit-oriented attraction. The spaciousness, lucid design and impressive architecture of the building have greatly contributed to its success. The education center houses student services, a conference room, lecture halls and the University Library, which contains an astounding 2 million volumes. Located in the third largest city in Hungry, the center has become a hub of cultural and scientific activity for the university, as well as the entire city of Szeged.
The Paul Barret Jr. Library at Rhodes College (Memphis, TN)
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Strategically placed at the back of the campus, the Paul Barret Jr. Library at Rhodes Collegein Memphis, Tennessee, acts as a second gateway to the college. The library, which was constructed in 2005, was designed to maintain the Gothic architectural style of the college. Clad in rubble and limestone, the building features two towers, a cloister and an apse. The copper and slate roof, carved symbols and Gothic design testify to the college’s commitment to tradition. Over 500,000 books are housed in the library, as well as computer labs, a technology room for the hearing and visually impaired, and a viewing theater that seats up to 32 individuals.
The Geisel Library at the University of California, San Diego (San Diego, CA)
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Rising an amazing 110 feet in the air, the eight floors of the Geisel Library at the University of California in San Diego form a cylindrical shape that sits at the base of a canyon. The library’s widest point at ground level measures 248 feet, while the widest above-ground point is found on the sixth floor at 210 feet. The two lower levels act as a pedestal for the incredible six-story tower. Architect William Pereira, who designed this unique structure, anticipated that any future additions to the library would form levels around the tower base and descend into the canyon.
Brotherton Library at the University of Leeds (Leeds, UK)
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Named in honor of Lord Brotherton, who contributed greatly to the construction and furnishing of the library, the Brotherton Library at the University of Leeds was opened in 1936. The building, designed by the firm of Lanchester, Lucas & Lodge, was initially intended to be accessed by way of the Parkinson building. Its exterior is of unadorned brick, as it was not to be visible. The delayed construction of the Parkinson building, however, put the library’s plain exterior on display for almost fifteen years. The interior of the building is in great contrast to the exterior, featuring a spacious dome, green Swedish marble columns, an elaborate iron balustrade and other embellishments.
Meskill Law Library at the University of Connecticut (Hartford, CT)
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The Meskill Law Library at the University of Connecticut is one of the most comprehensive law libraries in the United States, in addition to being one of the most beautiful. As a state university, the library provides a variety of services to the public. Its collection includes 500,000 volumes and thousands of legal periodicals dating back to 1908. All aspects of the law are represented in the library’s catalog. However, there’s also a large collection of insurance law volumes. The University’s Meskill Law Library was named after Thomas J. Meskill, an esteemed UConn graduate who worked in all three branches of the government and served as the governor of Connecticut.
Library at Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (Kedah, Malaysia)
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The spacious library at the Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology in Kedah, Malaysia, is home to one of the world’s fastest-growing collection of books. This high-tech glass-clad building uses natural light and energy-efficient fixtures to reduce its environmental impact. The impressive semicircular structure features four floors and a comprehensive collection of books representing medical, engineering, business and financial topics. Advanced learning centers, research facilities and student areas are located throughout the massive library complex. In many ways, the library serves as the heart of the institute’s 230-acre campus community.
Butler Library at Columbia University (New York, NY)
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Butler Library at Columbia University in New York City was founded in 1934 as South Hall. The named was later changed to Butler Library as a tribute to the president of Columbia University from 1902 to 1945, Nicholas Murray Butler. Although the library is just one of the 20 libraries on the Columbia University campus, Butler Library houses approximately two million books on a wide variety of topics related to the humanities. Designed by George Ainsworth in an Italian Renaissance style, the library consists of 12 floors of books and a utilization of natural light that was revolutionary for the time period in which it was built.
Chancellor Green Library at Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)
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The Chancellor Green Library at Princeton University is a classic example of Neo-Gothic architecture, and it is also an incredibly beautiful place to be. Constructed in 1872, the highly ornate building is filled with gables, arches, buttresses and diamond-shaped stained glass windows. Designed as an octagonal rotunda, it was the first building on the growing campus to be built for use as a library. Additionally, it is known for its symmetrical design and for the use of repeated patterns in various geometric shapes, including stars, diamonds, circles and octagons.
Sterling Memorial Library at Yale University (New Haven, CT)
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With a collection of 4 million volumes, the Sterling Memorial Library is the largest branch in the Yale University library system. The ornate building has an impressive book stack tower with 15 floors each representing a unique subject. The library was funded and designed by Yale graduates John William Sterling and James Gamble Rogers respectively. Its massive collection focuses on humanities and social science. Topics represented in the library include cultural studies from regions around the world, a historic map collection, a number of philosophic titles, a group of Babylonian volumes, the papers of Benjamin Franklin and many rare manuscripts.
Central Library at the University of Technology (Delft, Netherlands)
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Awarded the 1998 Dutch National Steel Prize, the Central Library at the University of Technology in Delft, Netherlands is a masterpiece of modern architecture. The library was designed by the Mecanoo architecture bureau and constructed in 1997. The incredibly unique structure was built directly behind the auditorium and features a sloped wall and roof covered in grass to serve as a recreational area for students. The wall directly across from the auditorium is made entirely of glass, and a steel cone adorns the top of the library. Four of the five levels within the library are contained in the cone.
The Harper Library Reading Room at the University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
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The Harper Library Reading Room is a part of the original William Rainey Harper Memorial Library, which was constructed in 1910 and named in honor of the University of Chicago’s first president. The building itself was designed in an English Gothic style, and the reading room boasts an amazing 39-foot ceiling. In June 2009, the William Rainey Harper Memorial Library was closed, and the collections it housed were placed in the Regenstein Library. However, the building was brought back to life in June 2012 and renamed the Arley D. Cathey Learning Center in behalf of a generous financial donor.
Andrew Dickson White Library at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
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The Andrew Dickson White Library at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, is a library within a library. The building is also home to Uris Library and was originally built in 1891 to house the 30,000 volumes of the personal collection belonging to the university’s first president. The structure is the oldest library building on the campus and originally featured skylights and an open archway that lead to the adjoining Dean Room. While the skylights and archway were lost during renovations, the original wrought-iron stacks still remain in the building. The library also still features artifacts, furniture and art work dating back to White’s academic career.
Frederick Ferris Thompson Memorial Library at Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY)
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In 1892, Vassar trustee Frederick Ferris Thompson built a small extension to contain the college’s collection of 3,000 books. By 1905, Thompson’s wife built a new library to memorialize her husband. This building has been expanded several times to accommodate the college’s growing collection of books and manuscripts. Today, the Frederick Ferris Thompson Memorial Library contains more than 1 million volumes, thousands of periodicals, a large collection of microfiche records and a high-tech learning center known as the Media Cloisters. This massive collection of historic publications is housed in an impressive cathedral-style building. The library’s main hall is lit by a decorative rose window that portrays the first woman to receive a doctorate.
George Peabody Library at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)
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The George Peabody Library at Johns Hopkins University was established by the successful entrepreneur and banking magnate George Peabody. Until 1982, the library was part of Baltimore’s Peabody Institute. The lavish Greek Revival building was designed by the celebrated architect Edmund Lind in 1857 and is often used as a venue for banquets and galas. This remarkable research library and reading room houses 300,000 volumes that cover a variety of topics. The majority of the library’s rare books date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. However, there are also cuneiform tablets from Mesopotamia, early printed books and a quirky collection of Don Quixote editions.
Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University (Provo, UT)
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“Learning by study and also by faith” is the motto of the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University. With an astounding 98 miles of bookshelves and approximately 6 million items, the library has grown from a small book collection housed in the principal’s office to one of the largest and most recognized university libraries in the United States. The library was named in honor of Harold B. Lee, who served as a former president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Vocal Point, an a cappella group, recorded a music video at the library in April 2011, and a parody of an Old Spice commercial was filmed there in July 2010.
Riggs Library at Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.)
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The Riggs Library at Georgetown University is one of only a few cast iron libraries still in existence today. It served as the main library from 1891 until 1970. The Riggs Library is housed in the south tower of the historic Healy Hall. The building, constructed between 1877 and 1879, features a Flemish Romanesque architectural design with subtle hints of Baroque. Healy Hall received national recognition in 1973 when it served as a background for the movie, “The Exorcist”. Parts of the interior were also used in the filming of “The Exorcist III”. While no longer used as the main library, the room still houses a number of books and is used as a reception area.
Duke Humfrey’s Library in the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford (Oxford, UK)
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As the oldest reading room located in the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford, theDuke Humfrey’s Library houses music, maps, Western manuscripts, The University Archives, the Conservative Party Archives and rare books printed before 1641. The Duke Humfrey’s Library is on the first floor of the Bodleian Library and is formed in the shape of the letter H. The oldest section of the library in the center. It was named in the 15th century after the first Duke of Gloucester, Humphrey of Lancaster, who donated 281 manuscripts to the University of Oxford. These manuscripts consisted of classical Greek works translated into Latin. Only three of the original books still remain in the library.
Suzzallo Library’s Graduate Reading Room at the University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
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The Suzallo Graduate Library, which presides over the University of Washington’s Red Square, is an architectural marvel. Shortly after its completion, architectural critics pronounced the Suzallo Library’s Reading Room to be one of the most beautiful rooms in the entire world. The Reading Room’s vaulted ceilings give it an air of extravagance, and luxurious hardwoods adorn the entire room. At each end of the room, hand-painted globes hang from the ceiling, inviting students to explore the world’s knowledge. Not to be outdone, the exterior of Suzallo features hand-carved statues of many of the world’s great academics, including Shakespeare, Plato, Newton, Goethe and more.
Fleet Library at Rhode Island School of Design (Providence, RI)
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The Rhode Island School of Design is home to the oldest and most influential independent art library in the United States. The school’s Fleet Library was established in 1878 and has grown to include 140,000 books, 685,000 images and sound recordings, 1,200 rare artist books and issues from 380 periodicals. Due to its historical significance, the library’s collection has become a retrospective that shows the evolution of art, architecture, photography and design. The collection covers textiles, jewelry, ceramics and many other disciplines. The Fleet Library at the Rhode Island School of Design has also been commended for its innovative restoration of a historic bank building.
Catholic University of Leuven Library (Flanders, Belgium)
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The original Catholic University of Leuven Library in Flanders, Belgium, was built in the first half of the nineteenth century. During World War I in 1914, the library was looted and destroyed by German troops. A new library was constructed between the years of 1921 and 1928. Designed by Whitney Warren, an American architect, the building reflects a neo-Flemish-Renaissance architectural style. As one of the largest university structures in the area, the towering size serves as a representation of the victory against Germany. In 1940, the building once again burned in the second German invasion and was rebuilt according to Warren’s designs.
Doe Memorial Library at the University of California-Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)
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The Doe Memorial Library serves as the main library of the University of California Berkley campus. Constructed in 1910, the library was designed by John Galen Howard as was one of the original buildings of the “Athens of the West” campus architectural plan. The library was originally intended to serve as the first building people saw upon entering the university grounds. Today, however, the majority of individuals enter the campus from the opposite side. The library also houses the Gardner Collection, which includes some of the university’s most prized volumes, in an underground structure consisting of 52 miles of bookshelves.
La Sorbonne Reading Room at the University of Paris (Paris, France)
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Located at the University of Paris in France, La Sorbonne Reading Room is arguably one of the 50 most amazing university libraries in the world. Founded in 1328, it is Europe’s largest library and contains a whopping 470,000 books. Its main focus is on the humanities, social sciences and literature. Music lovers appreciate the 10,000 cataloged scores. Students who are supposed to be studying at the library can enjoy the historic architecture and ornate artwork on the ceiling and walls at La Sorbonne Reading Room at the University of Paris.
Cairo University Central Library (Cairo, Egypt)
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The original Cairo University Central Library was opened in 1932 to provide students and academics at Cairo University with a central library collection to aid in research. Many of the early collections available at the library were related to archaeology, reference materials and Arabic culture. Renovations were completed in 1994 after Suzanne Mubarak, the First Lady of Egypt at the time, ordered research on how the library could be updated in order to make it more modern. The library that is now open at Cairo University is a new building that was founded in 2008. The building has a very modern design that uses geometric shapes to create its identity as a piece of current architecture.
Trinity College Library/The Long Room (Dublin, Ireland)
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