I don’t know about the rest of y’all, but I’m actually a huge fan of libraries in general, and I’m of the opinion that the library is the most underrated public space in any city. I will definitely go out of my way to see a major library, or even an interesting/novel one, even when traveling for leisure and recreation. I’m curious if you have been in any library experiences worth checking out, as someone who sees the library as a community center worth checking out as an outsider.

Also, as a bonus question, what are some awful libraries you’ve been in?

30 comments

  1. I walked by one in Brooklyn by prospect park that was beautiful from the outside at least. On…Union Circle? Maybe? Don’t remember. Nicest one I’ve been inside of is the main branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in downtown Bmore. My favorite is the one around the corner from my house, East Falls Branch of the Philly Free Library

  3. Boston Public Library and The Boston Athenaeum are both great, more tourist attraction than local library.

  4. Indianapolis Public Library downtown.

    Athaneum in Providence.

    Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum.

    Fleet Library at RISD

    Chicago Public Library (the one in Chinatown)

  5. The only one that’s ever had books I thought were interesting, which would be my university’s library.

    Even then a lot of them I had to get through interlibrary loan.

  7. Biased answer, but Burton Barr Central Library down here in downtown Phoenix is justly a “Phoenix Point of Pride.” I also, which should be surprising to no one, adore Austin’s Central Library.

    It’s not horrible, but Glendale, AZ’s downtown library is pretty bad, as it feels musty and cheap. The Century branch of the Phoenix proper library is also jank as hell.

  8. Homeless people ruined libraries for me, I got attacked by a homeless man in the library when I was 16. But the best one would be uchicago library, I liked it a lot plus I haven’t been to many before.

  9. Boston public library was pretty amazing. I was actually really surprised when I first went inside. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it was definitely a lot more than what I was expecting. I was staying nearby and just thought I should pop in. Wow!

  10. I like all the public libraries I’ve been in the Phoenix metro so far. Not that I stop into a lot of them

  12. The main branch of the New York Public Library (officially known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building) is probably the most famous library building in the US I’ve seen special exhibits there but don’t recall ever getting anything from their stacks since most needs were met by my local library or the former mid-Manhattan library.

    The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale is a very special building with some unique architecture. The exterior walls have panels of thin, translucent marble. I’ve never had need for any of their books, but have been to special events there.

    The Sterling Memorial Library, also at Yale, is a huge building, with some beautiful Collegiate Gothic. To make more room, they added mezzanine floors between each of the original floors of the tower. I think it’s still the largest library with open stacks for cardholders. It’s great for stressed out introverts looking for places to get away for awhile.

  13. No clue about the best. When I was a kid I learned to draw, do origami, and make paper planes from books in the library. As an adult, when I was broke, the library was my free form of entertainment. I couldn’t afford TV or movies, so I read books for free.

    I’m just happy we have public libraries.

  14. When I was 17 I visited a friend at the University of Chicago, and the library there had a wall of windows through which you could see a machine selecting requested materials to bring out to researchers. That absolutely blew my mind. If you’ve got a sheltered book-loving steampunk-loving teenager and are in Chicago, definitely take them to see it. 😂

  15. The only one of note that I’ve been to is the Library of Congress. It’s such a beautiful building. There’s a ton of architecture and there’s a few museum displays as well. Worth seeing for sure.

  16. The downtown library in Cleveland, Ohio is gorgeous and has some wonderful collections. I used to work across the street from it and spent a lot of time there.

  18. Most of the famous touristy ones have been mentioned, but I want to give a shout out to my favorite beautiful library, Provo library at Academy Square. It is in a beautiful 1890s former school that was run down and proposed to be demolished about 25 years ago when they decided to restore it as a new library instead. It is a gorgeous building and I loved passing by it and visiting it when I lived in Utah.

    https://950175.smushcdn.com/2581825/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/94353911_156250119204569_3885136604990816508_n.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1

  19. Seattle Public Library, it’s architecture is interesting. King County has pretty good libraries

  20. I don’t know about “best”, but I have an high opinion of Craighead County Public Library, mostly because what the library I grew up going to. They always have events happening and I even attended some. We had this teen lock-in once that was really fun. But movies and snacks all night. It was also the library where I learned that most libraries provide resources like resume help, DVD rentals, and book stores where you can buy books. I even friended the library even though I’m too far to do stuff there anymore.

    I also really like Benjamin L. Book Library in Memphis. It’s four stores tall (which is enormous in my opinion) and has a bunch of places to sit and read. I would do my schoolwork there sometimes when I didn’t have time to go home. Don’t tell anyone, but I would also sleep in my car in their parking lot when I had a little time between jobs at the time.

    Last one: Downtown Bend Public Library. Now I said I would sometimes do schoolwork at Benjamin L Hook library. Bend Public Library was the only place i would do my schoolwork for a while. I would just sit in the same spot for hours and, man, was I productive! I could look out the window and watch the buses pick up and drop off people and something about the whole thing was super relaxing.

  21. Seattle Public Library for sure, it’s gorgeous.

    NYPL, New York Public Library, particularly if you can get a tour or go sometime when there’s an event for the special collections like the map room.

  22. Absolutely no debate, the Suzallo Reading Room. Gothic masterpiece. You feel important in that library.

  23. I’ve been to the NYC public library and had a tour of the stacks. Amazing. I don’t know if that’s possible for the general public.

  24. The State Law Library in Des Moines, IA is just absolutely gorgeous. It’s multi-level, with intricate spiral staircases, and it’s located in the beautiful capitol building. Just google photos, it’s the loveliest library I’ve ever been in.

  25. Not sure how they compare on a national scale but Oklahoma’s library systems are surprisingly robust. Like I spent time in both OKC and Tulsa and never had an issue finding a book I needed there. I live in Houston now and at times have searched for a book only to find the nearest copy is in OKC. For reference I’m 3-4ish hours from Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio but 7ish hours from OKC.

    So maybe not the most glamorous libraries but really doing a great job overall. I actually miss them. I think I used my library cards more in Oklahoma than anywhere else I’ve ever lived.

    Edit: and after reading a few other comments I’ll add that I never ran into any homeless people causing a ruckus either. The Oklahoma libraries were always clean. Also I’ve…actually never run into homeless people causing trouble at a library. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen just that I’ve lived a lot of places, generally adore libraries, and haven’t run into it. I’d say I’m lucky but I’ve been accosted by plenty of homeless people elsewhere so I dunno.

  26. Nobody has mentioned the jp Morgan library. It’s not like other libraries but it’s pretty cool

    The library of Congress is obviously spectacular

    Carnegie library main branch in Pittsburgh

    But I think my favorite library to visit is Carnegie library of Braddock it’s in terrible shape, but it’s the first one, and it’s super cool. If I had millions of dollars to give away I’d give a significant portion to this library.

  30. Library of Congress! It’s stunningly beautiful, historically and conceptually. AFAIK it’s the largest collection of human knowledge on this planet, and I kid you not it is absolutely beautiful to behold.

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