On June 18th, Oslo’s new public library, Deichman Bjørvika, opened its doors to the public. Located on Oslo’s waterfront, and spanning six floors and 140,000 square feet, “Norway’…

Libraries so stunning you probably won't get much reading done.

Library collections are constantly growing. Implement library shelving or take a look at our other library storage solutions, so you can grow with your collection.

Reading a good book can transport you to another time and place, but so can a visit to one of the world many beautiful libraries. Filled with knowledge and splendour, just standing amidst these incredible books can be an incredible experience.

This is a story of a passion for art and photography.

The small municipality of Kirkkonummi, in southern Finland, can trace its history back millennia, from a medieval stone church to World War II–era bunkers. Next to that church, JKMM Architects revitalized a concrete library from the 1980’s, the result not only the IIDA’s institutional category winner but also taking home the best of competition award. “Contemporary libraries are where people get together to share knowledge and experiences,” JKMM founding partner Teemu Kurkela says. “This is why Finns today refer to them as public living rooms.”

The public library in Thionville is an example how libraries evolve in digital times / Images: Dominique Coulon and Associates The public library in Thionville is an example of how libraries evolve…

Image 25 of 41 from gallery of Albion Library / Perkins+Will Canada. Photograph by Michael Muraz

To inspire little ones to keep coming back to their library to learn and play, it is important that a children’s library is colourful and exciting. For us, a children’s library represents an opportunity to create a magical world of discovery by capturing their imagination using bold colours, fun graphics and customised furniture. A child may be a new library user, but the perfect kid’s zone can inspire and create a life-long library user.

Seattle Central Public Library, designed by Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) [Rem Koolhaas/Joshua Prince-Ramus] Seattle, Washington. All rights reserved. No use & distribution without express written permission. Strictly enforced.

From Snøhetta’s $245 million Central Library in Calgary, Canada, to Berlin’s ‘eco-intelligent’ Philological Library by Norman Foster, these stunning spaces are anything but quiet

The Klementinum library, a beautiful example of Baroque architecture, was first opened in 1722 as part of the Jesuit university, and houses over 20,000 books. It was voted as one of the most beautiful and majestic libraries in the world by our readers!

Think beyond books and DVDs. As long as you have a library card, you can borrow all sorts of bizarre things from your public library. Here’s a look at some of the unusual free stuff you can get your hands on.

The small municipality of Kirkkonummi, in southern Finland, can trace its history back millennia, from a medieval stone church to World War II–era bunkers. Next to that church, JKMM Architects revitalized a concrete library from the 1980’s, the result not only the IIDA’s institutional category winner but also taking home the best of competition award. “Contemporary libraries are where people get together to share knowledge and experiences,” JKMM founding partner Teemu Kurkela says. “This is why Finns today refer to them as public living rooms.”

Architecture firm HDD have designed the Mulan Weichang Visitors Centre, that's located in China, and whose shape is inspired by yurts.

There are 22 libraries in the world with a whopping 15 million items catalogued. Here are ten of the world's biggest - with a few facts and some pictures.

Subscribe to our newsletter Promotions, new travel guides, giveaways and more . Directly to your inbox. Email Subscribe 1. We want to shares this mind-blowing scene driving through the peripheral traffic in Guadalajara, Mexico In addition to driving, the best way to get introduced to the city is with a stroll through their Historical Centre. You’re only a short walk to the plazas, cathedrals, markets, and museums that the city has to offer Can you guess if this is a sunset or sunset? From @romosotelo 2. Watch they ride an inverted rollercoaster, at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Buckle up for rip roaring slides and experiences at the world’s leading waterpark, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. This waterpark will have you sharing the adrenaline rush with your friends, surfing the world’s largest sheet wave, gliding over lost caves, and so much more Your splash-tastic season will start February 11, 2023 when the playground opens again! From @themepark_explorers 3. They have us wanting to fast forward to autumn for these beautifully colored leaves, at Terenkur, Almaty, Kazakhstan This route in Kazakhstan is called Terenkur and is used by many health enthusiasts for leisurely walks, bike rides, and runs to keep up their well-being! What’s your favorite part of Kazakhstan and why? From @adilet_rakhmetolla and @saken_kagarov 4. How magical is this place with santa rita flowers? At Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay Compiled over 500 photos of these santa rita flowers to create this hyperlapse highlighting the beauty of Uruguay’s Colonia del Sacramento. This picturesque town has been enshrined as a Unesco World Heritage site for its narrow cobbled streets, tree lined streets, and sunset riverfront to name a few From @angel.mato 5. Check out the dives down into Dubai’s stunning city, at UAE While Dubai is often known for its riches, skyscrapers, luxury shopping scenes, and glitzy nightlife, it is also home to a rich history, strong culture, and mixed bag of nationalities Can you name the building shown? (Hint: it is known for being the world’s tallest building!) From @andre_larsen 6. Making the most out of life, at Lençóis Maranhenses, Maranhão, Brazil The Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil is known for its infinite span of white sand dunes and small lagoons, so the best time to visit is roughly from May to September when it’s sunny and the lagoons are still full From @lencoismaranhensestrekking 7. We welcomes you to a small traditional fishing village on the southern coastline of Norway’s Flakstadøya island, Nusfjord At its peak, Nusfjord’s village centre was inhabited by over one thousand people. Today, roughly nineteen people call Nusfjord their permanent home Did you know of this place in Norway? Tag a friend you want to explore this destination with! From @ronald_soethje 8. Did they make you feel dizzy watching this? At Rheinkirmes, Düsseldorf, Germany Welcome to Rheinkirmes in Germany’s Düsseldorf, “one of the biggest fairs in Europe with almost 4 million visitors a week.” This fair has a long tradition and reflects a centuries-old history From @thethemeparkcompany 9. Let us teleport you to an oasis of tranquility. At Grutas Tolantongo, Hidalgo, Mexico This breathtaking hot spring in Mexico located just north of the city offers an unparalleled experience like no other. If you love natural areas, adventures, and camping, you will love exploring this thermal water park in Mexi Is Mexico your kind of destination? If you’ve been here, when was the last time you visited? From @erikamtzga 10. A mirage or reality? At Pink Beach, Komodo National Park, Indonesia We shares the mesmerizing Pink Beach, a pink beach with a vibrant sand color and turquoise water in Indonesia. “The pink sand is created by broken coral pieces. A microscopic animal called Foraminifera produces a red pigment on the surrounding coral reefs which then mixes with the sand as it breaks down. The colour can vary depending on the amount of coral present and maybe very faint pink, orange/pink or red/pink.” Would you love to go for a swim here? From @helen_jannesonbense 11. We takes you along their picturesque stroll in the Camellia Hill Botanical Garden, which boasts the most beautiful blue flowers and foliage This garden in Seogwipo-si, South Korea provides a peaceful space for walks that are healing for the mind, body, and soul—so take this as a sign to go on one when you can Can you guess what this plant is called? From @siniple 12. Let she take you to new heights at Kalsubai, Maharashtra, India. Would you dare walk these stairs? This mountain in India features “stairs to heaven” to reach the summit. As you make your way up, you’ll be swallowed up in the depths of clouds overlooking the countryside and vegetation From @itsvirajkale99 13. Zooming into the weekend like... How epic is this jump? At Val Gardena, Italy In the heart of the unique Dolomites, Val Gardena is a winter sports paradise especially for skiing enthusiasts. From @daniel.moroder 14. Enjoy this beauty and magic of winter in Finland. Have you ticked off Finland from your bucket list yet? To experience this winter wonderland, you’ll want to visit from November to March. That’ll give you plenty of time to experience the snow, the northern lights, dog sledding, snowmobiling, arctic swimming, the steamy saunas, and the indulgent meals to name a few From @marius_krey 15. Take a look at this perspective from above Chicago is where our minds are currently at No matter how busy your days are, we hope you always find the time and space to reflect, relax, and get some headspace. Have you ever been to Chicago? What US states have you been meaning to visit? From @_sky.kim_ 16. We has a new adventure for your bucket list: visiting Lake Haiyaha in Colorado, US The shoreline of this lake is surrounded by stacks of massive granite boulders making it the perfect backdrop to your winter iceskating or summer hikes “Please remember to Leave No Trace when exploring. Dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, be respectful of wildlife, and be considerate of others.” Have you been on a trip to Colorado? Share your tips and recommendations with us! From @venturingvestals 17. A breath of fresh air. Did you know of this village in Switzerland? This view of Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland is the perfect pick-me-up to any day! Lauterbrunnen is covered with mountain peaks, thundering waterfalls, secluded valleys, and colorful alpine meadows. With its beauty all around you, it’s the perfect spot to to slow down and enjoy everything nature has to offer! From @swiss.beautiful_ 18. Let’s go on a walk with us at Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland wonderful country Lauterbrunnen is full of majestic waterfalls and snowy mountains making it one of the most stunning destinations you’ll ever lay your eyes on. Whether you’re a leisure or adventure traveler, you’ll surely fall in love with its panoramic views and range of delightful activities From @marcoxmarques 19. We shares one of the most surreal orange, red, and pink sunsets you’ll ever get to witness From glorious sunsets to warm soft sand and a sparkling blue ocean, this Australian beach will surely have you falling head over heels with it At Coogee Beach, Sydney, Australia From @dwaroundtheworld 20. A beautiful calming morning with a view at O‘ahu, Hawaii, USA As a very popular island in Hawaii, O‘ahu is home to various activities, beaches, restaurants, and shopping, but one of the best ways to explore its natural wonders is on foot. Is this island on your bucket list? If you’ve been here, share what it was like for you From @kylecitrin @mcgee 21. Come, we waits out the storm in a portaledge 600 meters above the ocean on Qaersorsuaq, Greenland When the sun shines again, Qaersorsuaq becomes a great place for black sand beaches, volcanic rock formations, unusual whale watching and hiking opportunities Where are your favorite places to go camping? From @jacobcookclimbs 22. Your daily dose of Koh Hong, Krabi. Does this make you want to book a trip to Thailand? Slower and more calm in pace compared to the bustling city of Bangkok, Koh Hong is an island that’s known for its breathtaking scenery and crystal clear waters. Here you can experience white sandy beach, snorkeling among hundreds of tropical fish, and swimming in total solitude From @thailand_adel 23. Check out the trip through Iceland. Would you dare ride on this bus? Iceland is made for road tripping adventures whether it be in a van, car, or bus. 🇮🇸 Besides being easy to navigate, the roads will take you through sight after sight of scenery packed landscapes. From @marekrybar.cz 24. Who wants to join with us for a meal... in the sky? At Praia Grande, Brazil At over 3,000 feet high, you will get views of the city located at the foot of several canyons along with a delicious meal From @daniel_cajal @duduceratti @nicoledeverling @paulohzen @rabbits @arquentebalonismo @goprobr 25. He is being shown the way by a local deer... now if only we could all keep up! Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a famous ski resort known for its ideal location at the foot of one of Europe’s highest peak in France, Mont-Blanc. Whether you’re climbing up or skiing down, be aware of your surroundings and the local wildlife! How impressive was that speed? From @zian_ct 26. Exploring Spain with us. Is Spain on your bucket list? If you’ve already traveled here, share your experience with us! Bardenas Reales Natural Park was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and comes with a vast network of tracks and roads perfect for hiking and cycling. If you’re a fan of outdoor adventures, this is definitely your kind of destination From @jaumemallart 27. Who love skydiving? How epic is this? At Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland He takes in the most expansive view of Lauterbrunnen, a tiny village in Switzerland. 🇨🇭 In the heart of the Swiss Alps, this is the ideal spot to access a long list of alpine activities all year round such as excursions to Mount Schilthorn and day trips to Mürren From @antonivilloni 28. This picturesque ride of us is one of the best ways to end the day, at Ladakh, India If you find yourself exploring the beautiful region of Ladakh, you’ll discover meandering roads, high mountain passes, and a great way to witness their culture. For those seeking both awe-inspiring scenery and traditions, Ladakh offers the best of both worlds From @beparwaahmusafir 29. Today we shows you just one among the countless breathtaking sceneries at Villa Monastero, Varenna, Italy Come and take a look just one among the countless breathtaking sceneries from Villa Monastero in Italy’s Varenna where you’ll find that centuries-old towns, gorgeous views, and scenic shorelines are aplenty. 𝟭𝟬 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗼: 1. Explore the historical city of Como. 2. Go sunset-watching at Brunate. 3. Tour the cobbled streets and little eateries at Bellagio. 4. Admire the best views of Lake Como at Menaggio’s promenade. 5. Go sightseeing at Villa Carlotta. 6. Visit the Basilica di Sant’Abbondio. 7. Take a boat ride to Varenna and stroll along its medieval streets. 8. Learn history at the Archaeological Museum of Como and the Historical Museum of Giuseppe Garibaldi. 9. Take pictures of the landscaped gardens in Villa Melzi. 10. Delight in authentic cuisines at Lecco. From @meolafrancesco 30. We shows you guys what it’s like inside the 70-metre-long Admont Abbey library in Austria This library is the largest monastery library in the world and although it was founded almost 1,000 years ago, it has successfully withstood turbulent periods in the region’s history How beautiful is this library? From @ariencilla 31. Marvel at our views of the Ruyi Bridge, a surreal glass-bottomed curvy and bending bridge in the Zhejiang province in China Opened since September 2020, visitors can enjoy the views from this bridge at 140 meters high above the Shenxianju Valley. This province has many must-see attractions, including West Lake, Lingyin Temple, and Dragon Well Tea Plantation among others, making it well-worth a visit From @khanjipeerwala

Library Gentleman’s Essentials

From the iconic New York Public Library to lesser-known favorites like the San Antonio Public Library, here are the ten most beautiful libraries in the US.

Image 11 of 15 from gallery of Columbus Metropolitan Library Dublin Branch / NBBJ. Photograph by Chuck Choi

On my quest to find more hidden gems for book lovers across the UK, I discovered Gladstone's Library in North Wales. Boasting the title of the UK's only residential library, this is the only place

The Library of Parliament in Ottawa, Canada, is a knock-out gorgeous bookish place.

Library at St. Paul's Cathedral, London, England by tryagain50

Cast-iron book alcoves lined the sides of the Main Hall.

Image 26 of 44 from gallery of Magdalene College Library / Niall McLaughlin Architects. Photograph by Nick Kane

Feast your eyes on these amazing outdoor reading nooks and cozy spaces for some inspiration for your next summer project.

To inspire little ones to keep coming back to their library to learn and play, it is important that a children’s library is colourful and exciting. For us, a children’s library represents an opportunity to create a magical world of discovery by capturing their imagination using bold colours, fun graphics and customised furniture. A child may be a new library user, but the perfect kid’s zone can inspire and create a life-long library user.

The Strahov Library. The library at Strahov is allegedly one of the most stunning and well preserved historical libraries in the world.

1151 views on Imgur

Comfort, style and lots of books—AD's gallery of great reading areas in the home.

Architecture is meant to fulfill both practical and expressive requirements, and thus it serves both utilitarian and aesthetic purposes. When you look at a structure, you can distinguish these two ends but they cannot be separated, and the relative weight each of them carry can vary widely. Plus, every society has its own, unique relationship to the natural world and its architecture usually reflects that as well, allowing people from other places to learn about their environment, as well as history, ceremonies, artistic sensibility, and many aspects of daily life.

50 x 54 inches ed. of 10 $6,000 60 x 64.7 inches ed. of 7 $9,000 70 x 75.5 inches ed. of 5 $11,000 signed and numbered on label, verso Reinhard Görner, with his large format photographs orchestrates the monumentality of rooms. An active architecture photographer since 1985, is a master of perspectives and precise spatial compositions, and he thus considers classical sculpture, in all of its possible facets, a special challenge. "Görner’s photographs sometimes open the doors to another world and take the viewer with them on a journey through time. Here the palace is no longer a museum but both royal residence and a site steeped in history. The viewer does not have to share the halls with the masses of visitors; instead the images offer him exclusive impressions of the Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors) and the Galerie des Batailles (Hall of Battles) as even the king of France was probably never granted. The halls are empty of people, yet they seem to be able to unfurl their individual characters of their own accord. These places practically breathe history, and this aspect is also part of the essence captured in the photographs. King Wilhelm of Prussia was named German Emperor Wilhelm I in the Hall of Mirrors after France was defeated in 1870–1871 in the Franco-German War. The Treaty of Versailles following World War I was also signed there in 1919. In this sense, the architectural photographs of Versailles’s ceremonial rooms have an edge on Renaissance paintings; here even a sense of world history arises within the viewer – one which continues to exert an influence today." Horst Klöver Other photos are more examples from this series.

The Library at Queen’s comprises three distinct and stunning reading rooms from different eras in history. The unique blend of old and new styles makes it a truly special place to study. You can choose to work in the 19th century Lower Library or be inspired by the stunning 17th century Upper Library, widely regarded […]

Image 5 of 38 from gallery of Kirkkonummi Library / JKMM Architects. Photograph by Pauliina Salonen

Image 19 of 30 from gallery of Norwell Public Library / Oudens Ello Architecture. Photograph by Chuck Choi Architectural Photography

These most beautiful libraries in the world will blow your mind with architectural and cultural treasures filled with books books books.

See inside some of the most beautiful libraries around the world, including Austria, Norway, England and Canada.

The Italian photographer Massimo Listri’s new book The World’s Most Beautiful Libraries showcases 55 of the most gorgeous libraries across the globe dating as far back to 766. Featu…