The most beautiful libraries in America

Founded in 1895, the New York Public Library is the country’s largest public library system with 92 locations throughout the city’s different boroughs. The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the main structure on Fifth Avenue, was designed and constructed by the firm Carrère and Hastings, and it cost $9 million to complete in the early 1900s. Today, the library is home to over 56 million books, e-books, and DVDs, and includes research centers, historical collections, and original manuscripts. 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018

Once the personal library of financier Pierpont Morgan, The Morgan Library & Museum now houses rare manuscripts and rotating art exhibitions open to the public. The library was constructed from 1902 to 1906 and was designed by the firm McKim, Mead & White. Throughout his life, Morgan acquired historical and literary manuscripts, early printed books, and artwork. It wasn’t until 1924 that Pierpont’s son turned the private institution into a public library. 225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016

Founded back in 1807, the Boston Athenaeum was first formed by the Anthology Society to create a space “combining the advantages of a public library [and] containing the great works of learning and science in all languages,” according to its website. The building was originally designed by Edward Clarke Cabot, with Henry Forbes Bigelow adding additional floors and renovations years later. Today, it’s one of the country’s oldest independent libraries and home to over half a million books. 10-1/2 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108

A part of Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries & University Museums, the George Peabody Library is a sight to behold. The building itself opened in 1878 and was designed by Edmund G. Lind and Dr. Nathaniel H. Morison. Don't miss the soaring 61-foot-high glass in the library's central atrium; it's really a sight. The library contains 300,000 books predominantly from the 18th and 19th centuries. 7 E Mt Vernon Pl, Baltimore, MD 21202

The state law library, located inside the Capitol building, contains approximately 100,000 books and was designed by Alfred Piquenard and John Cochran. The library space has become famous for its Victorian-style architecture and wrought-iron spiral staircases—now one of the most photographed details of the Capitol. It still serves as a legal library, welcoming visitors during the weekdays. 1007 E Grand Ave UNIT 214, Des Moines, IA 50319

Located at Yale University, the Beinecke Library contains one of the world’s largest collections of rare books and manuscripts—and is one of the world's only institutions dedicated to housing such books. The building itself was designed by Gordon Bunshaft and opened in 1963. Today, the library puts on exhibitions and events and has a staff of over 140 people, not to mention it welcomes more than 175,000 public visitors yearly. 121 Wall St, New Haven, CT 06511

Co-founder and first president of Cornell University, Andrew Dickson White, had quite an extensive book collection. He decided to donate his collection of 30,000 items to the school and tasked William Henry Miller with designing a space to display them all. The A.D White Library actually resides inside the school’s Uris Library, and is often referred to as a library within a library. Today, the library is home to a collection of books dedicated to the history of books and publishing. 

The university’s law library was established back in 1859 and originally housed 350 volumes donated by Judge Thomas M. Cooley. Eventually, the library moved to its current location in the William W. Cook Legal Research building in 1931, which was designed by York and Sawyer. By 1981, an addition was completed, designed by Gunnar Birkerts and Associates, and has gone on to win awards. Now it serves as a support system for both faculty and students. Legal Research Building, 801 Monroe St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Of course, no list of the most beautiful libraries would be complete without the world’s largest library of all. The library serves as the main research space of the U.S. Congress and was founded in 1800. It currently occupies three different buildings, which were constructed in 1897, 1938, and 1981. Half of the library’s holdings are in languages other than English, with 470 different languages on record. As of 2023, the library had over 178 million books and manuscripts in its collections. 101 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20540

The University of San Diego’s central library was built in the late 1960s and designed by William Pereira; it cost over $5 million to construct. The striking building, which was fittingly designed to resemble hands holding up a stack of books, underwent renovations in the ‘90s, and it was in that same decade that the library was named for Audrey and Theodor Geisel, who you might know as the author Dr. Seuss. 9701 Hopkins Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093

Located at Baylor University, the Armstrong Browning Library is a research library that focuses on the study of the lives and works of Victorian poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. It’s currently home to the largest collection in the world of memorabilia pertaining to the Brownings, but also has a large collection of 19th-century literature, as well. The library finished construction in 1948 and wouldn’t have been possible without the fervent interest and fundraising of Dr. A.J. Armstrong, whose collection started the library. 710 Speight Ave, Waco, TX 76706