Enobong is a former professional dancer turned publicity and marketing assistant and life-long lover of books. Fully Nigerian and fully British, Enobong now lives in Chicago with her nonfiction enthusiast husband and peculiar yet adorable cat roommate.
In his keynote speech for the American Library Association’s 2019 annual conference, Jason Reynolds spoke of libraries as “sacred” spaces. I’m inclined to agree. There are many of us for whom libraries are very close to sacred spaces of worship, and the architecture of many of them rivals some of the world’s most famous cathedrals, mosques, and Buddhist temples. I also find it no coincidence that many of the best libraries in the world have ties to holy places as well.
While the library of my dreams is a fictional one (Beauty and the Beast), there are many in this world that give it stiff competition. Here’s some of the best libraries in the world: the oldest, the largest, and more.
Khizanat Al Qarawiyyin, University of al-Qarawiyyin, Morocco
Said to be the oldest library in the world, and it was founded by a woman (who run the world, right?). Opened in 859, the library houses 4,000 rare books and manuscripts and was lovingly restored by another woman, Aziza Chaouni.
Get a better look into this library here.
Rampur Raza Library, Rampur, India
The Raza library was established in the late 18th century and is home to many Indo-Islamic treasures, including the first translated manuscript of the Qur’an. Essentially, it’s the kind of library where you can expect to find the staff decked out with those little white gloves.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm9VJU4hpBW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Biblioteca Palafoxiana, Puebla, Mexico
“He who succeeds without books is in an inconsolable darkness, on a mountain without company, on a path without a crosier, in darkness without a guide.”
So said Juan de Palafox y Mendoza, the bishop of Puebla who donated 5,000 books to the Colegio san Juan in 1646 on the proviso that they be available to anyone who wished to use them.
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
The Bodleian library epitomises what it means to be British. It’s connected to a duke and is really old. Established in 1602, the Bodleian is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and the second largest in England (second only to The British Library).
This library is not only one of the oldest, but one of the most beautiful. It’s a must for Bookstagram bragging rights. It was built in 1776 with seven cupolas containing frescoes by Bartolomeo Altomonte depicting human knowledge as laid out in the Enlightenment. This is the library of dreams.
5 of the Largest Libraries in the World
One day I hope to dedicate a room in my house to floor to ceiling shelves lined with books upon books upon books. Until then, I’ll have to make do with some of the biggest libraries in the world.
This library opened in 2004 as a pink disk that shines at night. It’s somewhat of a beacon to the neighbourhood it is situated in. A call to arms to come and read.
Rivalling the Admont Abbey Library in beauty, this is another testament to the beauty of European art and architecture and the love of books and study.
The leaded glass dome ceiling that was built for the practicality of letting in light at a time with no electricity is what gives this library its beauty. The light shines down on all four stories, presenting the cast-iron rails and staircase in their full majesty.
Hogsback Library lies in a small village in the South African mountains and has the most restrictive opening times of any library. It is open 3:00–4:00 pm on a Wednesdays and 9:30-10:30 am Saturdays. I guess I’ll just be over here not complaining about my local library’s opening hours.
