Libraries not only hold a veritable treasure trove of knowledge, they are also a reflection of the kinds of traditions and history of an institution. Do you love reading books? Finding our very own nook and getting lost in whichever world or time period that the book contains? What better way to do that then to visit these amazing libraries! If you have time, you could even go on a library tour with other international students! Check out our list of the 10 awesome libraries that you should visit here:

GEORGE PEABODY LIBRARY AT JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, USA

This library (pictured above) is a 150 years old and is one of the three universities under John Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA. It houses more than 3.6 million volumes of books in its shelves, organised into ten different divisions depending on the departments and subjects. These divisions include books about all subjects except for music.

BODLEIAN LIBRARY AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY,UK

Located in the heart of Oxford, the Bodleian library is home to over 3.5 million volumes distributed across 11 floors, out of which 3 are built underground. The library has been serving its readers for last 70 years after being built in 1946.

GENERAL LIBRARY AT UNIVERSITY OF COIMBRA, PORTUGAL

One of the oldest libraries in the world, the general library at University of Coimbra is about 500 years old! Furthermore, it was functional even before the university was set up. There are over a million books in the across the library’s 4 floors and 7000 square meters area.

BEINECKE RARE BOOK AND MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY AT YALE UNIVERSITY, USA

As the name suggests, this library is meant exclusively for rare and hard-to-find manuscripts and volumes in the world. Academic researchers, faculty members or students are only allowed to access these manuscripts within the library and to further protect these manuscripts the temperatures and humidity kept to optimum levels. There is a central towers with over 180,000 volumes, with a several million other manuscripts located elsewhere in the library.

HARPER LIBRARY AT UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, USA

A century old, this library was built by the first president of University of Chicago, Willian Rainey Harper. The Harper library stands out among six other libraries of the university due to its magnificent architecture.

LAW LIBRARY AT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, USA

The law library at University of Michigan was built about 30 years ago. Over a million volumes call the law library their home, spread over the total area of 77,000 square feet with 37 balconies.

CITY CAMPUS LIBRARY AT UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTONOMA DE MEXICO

City campus library is the main library at UNAM and has the largest collection of volumes (approx. 500,000) in the whole of Mexico serving a large community of academics, students and researchers. The library’s amazing architecture sets it apart from other buildings because of the mosaic that has been painted all across the library’s walls by two of the Mexico’s most celebrated artists.

THOMAS FISHER RARE BOOK LIBRARY AT UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, CANADA

Boasting a large collection of institutional records, rare books, university archives and manuscripts that are available for public access since last 40 years, this impressive library holds approximately 700,000 volumes on its shelves.

LIBRARY AT TAMA ART UNIVERSITY, JAPAN

With a distinctive architecture that uniquely embodies Japan’s modern and minimalist vibe, the Tama Art University library was collaboratively with engineer, Mutsuro Sasaki to create 56 pillars that evenly distribute the load and 166 arches across the building.

SUZZALLO LIBRARY AT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, USA

The biggest library in Seattle, the Suzzallo library has more than 6 million volumes on its shelves. Originally proposed to include a bell tower that was never built, the building, with a harry potter-esque feel is over 90 years old.

Want to study in one of these libraries? Find a course abroad now!

Or download a university's prospectus here. 

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