The Great Geek Manual

The United States’ Most Beautiful Libraries – Must see libraries, whether you are a librarian or distance learning student

31 Jan 2011 Books

Back in July 2009, I posted a photo gallery of The World’s Most Beautiful Libraries, mainly for my own gratification. If you think about it, even if you are one of the many online students in distance learning MBA programs and you never actually step foot in a classroom, there is still a good chance that you will have to eventually go to an actual library like everyone else. So if almost every has the need to go to real libraries, then why not enjoy the more beautiful ones when you are in them? There are few things I enjoy as a hardcore bibliophile more than a good book, but when I’m not reading, browsing photos of books comes in a close second.

For about eighteen months, the gallery was pretty much ignored, the same as all of my other posts, but a few days ago StumbleUpon kicked in. Since then, traffic has been flooding and with it, a lot of suggestions as to other libraries deserving of recognition. So, I’ve decided to compile a second gallery of beautiful libraries, this time, just from around the states. Here they are, in no particular order. Enjoy!

Andrew Dickson White Library
Part of Uris Library at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York
Alternate Angle | Guide | Panorama
Photo Credit: Olin & Uris Libraries

Bapst Art Library at Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts
Exterior | More | Stairwell
Photo Credit: Richie Town

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut
Different Angle
Photo Credit: KAALpurush

The Boston Athenaeum in Boston, Massachusetts
Different Angle
Photo Credit: Brianmoc

Butler Library at Columbia University in New York City
Exterior | Exterior | Interior
Photo Credit: jimmyarch1861

North Reading Room
Doe Library graduate reading room at the University of California, Berkeley
Different Angle | More | More
Photo Credit: Rommel Gonzales