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Though they are losing ground to the e-book and the audiobook, public libraries were once central hubs of human intellectual progress. There's something about them that still attracts people, however – whether it's their magnificent historical buildings or the unmistakable smell of old books and dust, scholars and bookworms alike still enjoy perusing their hoards of literary treasures.

Because of their critical importance, libraries were often built to be beautiful and built to last. Combined with the sometimes priceless book collections that they hold, their simultaneously enormous and intimate spaces possess a charm that no other type of building can command.

If you know of any other beautiful libraries that should be celebrated by all the book lovers, then please add them to this list. You can vote for your favorite houses of knowledge as well!

#1

The National Library Of Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

The National Library Of Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

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#2

Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland

Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland

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#3

Biblioteca Real Gabinete Portugues De Leitura, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Biblioteca Real Gabinete Portugues De Leitura, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

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Boris G Report

#4

The Admont Library, Admont, Austria

The Admont Library, Admont, Austria

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#5

George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland, Usa

George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland, Usa

wikipedia.org Report

#6

St. Florian Monastery, Austria

St. Florian Monastery, Austria

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Renate Dodell Report

#7

Bibliothèque Nationale De France, Paris, France

Bibliothèque Nationale De France, Paris, France

Franck Bohbot Report

#8

Handelingenkamer Tweede Kamer Der Staten-generaal Den Haag Iii, Netherlands

Handelingenkamer Tweede Kamer Der Staten-generaal Den Haag Iii, Netherlands

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#9

Austrian National Library, Vienna, Austria

Austrian National Library, Vienna, Austria

onb.ac.at Report

#10

Biblioteca Joanina, Coimbra, Portugal

Biblioteca Joanina, Coimbra, Portugal

Will Pryce Report

#11

The City Libary, Stuttgart, Germany

The City Libary, Stuttgart, Germany

Philipp Hilpert Report

#12

The Iowa State Law Library, Iowa, Usa

The Iowa State Law Library, Iowa, Usa

legis.iowa.gov Report

#13

The Oberlausitzische Library Of Science, Gorlitz, Germany

The Oberlausitzische Library Of Science, Gorlitz, Germany

goerlitzer-anzeiger.de Report

#14

Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University, Connecticut, Usa

Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University, Connecticut, Usa

Michael Marsland Report

#15

The Old Public Library Of Cincinnati, Ohio, Usa

The Old Public Library Of Cincinnati, Ohio, Usa

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#16

Bibliothèque Sainte Geneviève, Paris, France

Bibliothèque Sainte Geneviève, Paris, France

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#17

New York Public Library

New York Public Library

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#18

Walker Library, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Usa

Walker Library, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Usa

Andrew Moore Report

#19

Vennesla Library, Vennesla, Norway

Vennesla Library, Vennesla, Norway

Helen & Hard Report

#20

Bibliothèque Mazarine, Paris, France

Bibliothèque Mazarine, Paris, France

Franck Bohbot Report

#21

St John's College Library, Cambridge, Uk

St John's College Library, Cambridge, Uk

The Pale Side Of Insomnia Report

#22

The Library Of Congress, Washington, D.c., Usa

The Library Of Congress, Washington, D.c., Usa

osubmarinoamarelo.com Report

#23

Technical University "gheorghe Asachi" Library, Iasi, Romania

Technical University "gheorghe Asachi" Library, Iasi, Romania

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#24

The Great Library Of The Reformed Church College Of Sarospatak - Sarospatak, Hungary

The Great Library Of The Reformed Church College Of Sarospatak - Sarospatak, Hungary

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#25

The National Library Of China, Beijing, China

The National Library Of China, Beijing, China

fcpe.lyceeplcourier.over-blog.com Report

#26

Archiepiscopal Library Kromeriz, Czech Republic

Archiepiscopal Library Kromeriz, Czech Republic

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#27

Harper Library, Usa

Harper Library, Usa

Justin Kern Report

#28

Palácio Nacional De Mafra, Portugal

Palácio Nacional De Mafra, Portugal

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#29

Budapest University Of Technology And Economics (bme), Hungary

Budapest University Of Technology And Economics (bme), Hungary

upload.wikimedia.org Report

#30

The Tripitaka Koreana Library, Haeinsa Temple, South Korea

The Tripitaka Koreana Library, Haeinsa Temple, South Korea

Will Pryce Report

#31

The Forgotten Library

The Forgotten Library

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#32

The Strahov Monastery Library, Prague

The Strahov Monastery Library, Prague

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#33

Abbey Library Of Saint Gallen Switzerland

Abbey Library Of Saint Gallen Switzerland

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#34

National Library Of Chile, Santiago, Chile

National Library Of Chile, Santiago, Chile

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#35

Library Of Orthopedic Institute Rizzoli - Bologna

Library Of Orthopedic Institute Rizzoli - Bologna

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#36

Trinity College Library - Dublin - Ireland

Trinity College Library - Dublin - Ireland

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#37

Book Mountain, Spijkenisse, Netherlands

Book Mountain, Spijkenisse, Netherlands

Jeroen Musch Report

#38

State Library Of Victoria, Australia

State Library Of Victoria, Australia

Diliff Report

#39

# 50 Szte Klebelsberg Library, Szeged, Hungary

# 50 Szte Klebelsberg Library, Szeged, Hungary

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#40

Girolamini's Library (naples, Italy)

Girolamini's Library (naples, Italy)

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#41

Wren Library, Trinity College, Cambridge (uk)

Wren Library, Trinity College, Cambridge (uk)

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#42

Ottawa, Canada Parliamentary Library

Ottawa, Canada Parliamentary Library

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#43

Royal Site Of San Lorenzo De El Escorial Library, S. Lorenzo De El Escorial, Spain

Royal Site Of San Lorenzo De El Escorial Library, S. Lorenzo De El Escorial, Spain

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#44

Stockholm Public Library

Stockholm Public Library

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#45

El Ateneo. Buenos Aires, Argentina

El Ateneo. Buenos Aires, Argentina

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#46

Szabó Ervin Library, Budapest, Hungary

Szabó Ervin Library, Budapest, Hungary

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#47

Library Of Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany

Library Of Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany

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#48

Uris Library At Cornell University

Uris Library At Cornell University

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#49

The National Library Of Finland, Helsinki, Finland

The National Library Of Finland, Helsinki, Finland

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#50

Lello & Irmão Bookstore, Porto, Portugal

Lello & Irmão Bookstore, Porto, Portugal

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#51

Jp Morgan Library, New York, Ny

Jp Morgan Library, New York, Ny

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#52

Library Of The Honourable Society Of Lincoln's Inn, London Wc2, U.k.

Library Of The Honourable Society Of Lincoln's Inn, London Wc2, U.k.

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#53

Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria, Egypt

Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria, Egypt

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#54

National Library Of Latvia, Riga

National Library Of Latvia, Riga

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#55

Canadian Library Of Parliament, Ottawa On Exterior

Canadian Library Of Parliament, Ottawa On Exterior

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#56

Strahov Monastery Library, Prague, Czech Republic

Strahov Monastery Library, Prague, Czech Republic

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#57

Jose Vasconcelos Library, Mexico

Jose Vasconcelos Library, Mexico

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#58

An Almost 180-degree Panoramic View Of The British Museum Reading Room.

An Almost 180-degree Panoramic View Of The British Museum Reading Room.

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#59

Melk Abbey Library - Melk, Austria

Melk Abbey Library - Melk, Austria

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#60

Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vatican City

Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vatican City

www.tuttotech.it Report

#61

Central University Library Of Bucharest (biblioteca Centrală Universitară „carol I”)

Central University Library Of Bucharest (biblioteca Centrală Universitară „carol I”)

www.noapteamuzeelor.ro Report

#62

Bapst Library, Boston College

Bapst Library, Boston College

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#63

Palafoxian Library Mexico Puebla

Palafoxian Library Mexico Puebla

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#64

Library At The National Palace In Mafra, Portugal

Library At The National Palace In Mafra, Portugal

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#65

Central University Library, Leuven, Belgium

Central University Library, Leuven, Belgium

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#66

Canadian Library Of Parliament, Ottawa On

Canadian Library Of Parliament, Ottawa On

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#67

The 19th Century National Library Of Greece In Athens

The 19th Century National Library Of Greece In Athens

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#68

Biblioteca Do Palácio Nacional De Mafra, Mafra, Portugal

Biblioteca Do Palácio Nacional De Mafra, Mafra, Portugal

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#69

Biblioteca Angelica, Rome, Italy

Biblioteca Angelica, Rome, Italy

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#70

Utrecht University City Center Library, Netherlands

Utrecht University City Center Library, Netherlands

chinaeuropesummerschool.eu Report

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#71

Indianapolis Central Library, Indianapolis, Usa

Indianapolis Central Library, Indianapolis, Usa

Serge Melki Report

#72

Boston Public Library, Usa

Boston Public Library, Usa

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#73

Croatian National Library, Zagreb

Croatian National Library, Zagreb

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#74

Senate Library, Parliment, Ottawa,ontario, Canada

Senate Library, Parliment, Ottawa,ontario, Canada

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#75

Black Diamond Royal Danish Library, Copenhagen - Denmark

Black Diamond Royal Danish Library, Copenhagen - Denmark

erinaceously.wordpress.com Report

#76

Biblioteca Nazionale Di Napoli - Naples, Italy

Biblioteca Nazionale Di Napoli - Naples, Italy

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#77

Biblioteca Do Conento De Mafra, Portugal

Biblioteca Do Conento De Mafra, Portugal

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#78

University Of Michgan Law School Library

University Of Michgan Law School Library

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#79

The 19th Century National Library Of Greece In Athens

The 19th Century National Library Of Greece In Athens

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#80

Diocesan Library Of Eger, Eger, Hungary

Diocesan Library Of Eger, Eger, Hungary

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#81

Library Of Birmingham Uk

Library Of Birmingham Uk

www.createdinbirmingham.com Report

#82

Biblioteca Do Palacio Nacional De Mafra, Mafra, Portugal

Biblioteca Do Palacio Nacional De Mafra, Mafra, Portugal

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#83

Carol I National College - Craiova - Mihail Strajan Library - October 18, 1836

Carol I National College - Craiova - Mihail Strajan Library - October 18, 1836

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#84

University Of Helsinki Library, Helsinki, Finland

University Of Helsinki Library, Helsinki, Finland

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#85

Cărturești Carusel Library, Bucharest, Romania

Cărturești Carusel Library, Bucharest, Romania

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#86

Reading Room, State Library Of Nsw, Sydney, Australia

Reading Room, State Library Of Nsw, Sydney, Australia

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#87

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

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#88

San Diego Central Library

San Diego Central Library

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#89

Anna Amalia Bibliothek, Weimar, Germany

Anna Amalia Bibliothek, Weimar, Germany

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#90

El Escorial, Monastery And Tomb Of The Kings, Madrid, Spain

El Escorial, Monastery And Tomb Of The Kings, Madrid, Spain

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#91

Melk Monastery Library

Melk Monastery Library

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#92

Stiftsbibliothek, St. Gallen, Switzerland - Unesco World Cultural Heritage Site

Stiftsbibliothek, St. Gallen, Switzerland - Unesco World Cultural Heritage Site

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#93

Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, Budapest, Hungary

Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library, Budapest, Hungary

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#94

University Library, Warsaw, Poland

University Library, Warsaw, Poland

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#95

Central Library, Manchester, Uk.

Central Library, Manchester, Uk.

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#96

The John Ryland's Library, Manchester, Uk

The John Ryland's Library, Manchester, Uk

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#97

Library Of Vilnius University - Mkic. Lithuania, Vilnius

Library Of Vilnius University - Mkic. Lithuania, Vilnius

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#98

Biblioteca Palafoxiana, Puebla, Mexico

Biblioteca Palafoxiana, Puebla, Mexico

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#99

Real Biblioteca Del Monasterio De El Escorial, Spain

Real Biblioteca Del Monasterio De El Escorial, Spain

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#100

National And University Library Of Slovenia, Ljubljana

National And University Library Of Slovenia, Ljubljana

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#101

Teleki Library, Marosvasarhely(targu Mures), Transylvania

Teleki Library, Marosvasarhely(targu Mures), Transylvania

forum.index.hu Report

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#102

National Library Of Latvia, Riga

National Library Of Latvia, Riga

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#103

Phillips Exeter Academy Library, U.s. (architect Louis Kahn)

Phillips Exeter Academy Library, U.s. (architect Louis Kahn)

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#104

Qods Razavi Public Library, Mashhad, Iran

Qods Razavi Public Library, Mashhad, Iran

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#105

El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina

El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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#106

The Canadian Library Of Parliament

The Canadian Library Of Parliament

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#107

Central Library Of Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Central Library Of Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic

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#108

Lello Bookshop Porto

Lello Bookshop Porto

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#109

Copenhagen Main Library , Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen Main Library , Copenhagen, Denmark

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#110

Spain Library, Medellín, Colombia

Spain Library, Medellín, Colombia

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#111

The British Museum Reading Room - London, Uk

The British Museum Reading Room - London, Uk

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#112

Andrew Dickson White Library At Cornell University

Andrew Dickson White Library At Cornell University

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#113

Vancouver Central Library, Vancouver , Canada, Has Nine-stories And Resembles The Colosseum

Vancouver Central Library, Vancouver , Canada, Has Nine-stories And Resembles The Colosseum

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#114

Seattle Central Library, Seattle, Washington, Usa

Seattle Central Library, Seattle, Washington, Usa

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Joseph Holley Report

#115

Kanazawa Umimirai Library, Kanazawa City, Japan

Kanazawa Umimirai Library, Kanazawa City, Japan

Addison Godel Report

#116

Cornell Law School Library, Usa

Cornell Law School Library, Usa

Claude-Étienne Armingaud Report

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#117

Qods Razavi Public Library, Mashhad, Iran

Qods Razavi Public Library, Mashhad, Iran

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#118

The Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library

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#119

British Library, London, Uk

British Library, London, Uk

siestasemester.wordpress.com Report

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#120

Mitchell Library, Sydney Australia

Mitchell Library, Sydney Australia

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#121

Mitchell Library Reading Room

Mitchell Library Reading Room

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#122

Vasconcelos Library In Mexico

Vasconcelos Library In Mexico

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#123

Library Of Strahov Monastery, Prague, Czech Republic

Library Of Strahov Monastery, Prague, Czech Republic

bohemia-trip.cz Report

#124

El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina

El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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#125

Globe Atrium, Los Angeles Public Library (bertram Goodhue, 1926) - Photo: Kim Cooper, Esotouric

Globe Atrium, Los Angeles Public Library (bertram Goodhue, 1926) - Photo: Kim Cooper, Esotouric

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#126

The Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Mexico

The Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Mexico

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#127

Salt Lake City Public Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Usa

Salt Lake City Public Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Usa

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#128

Public Library Escuelas Pias (madrid, España)

Public Library Escuelas Pias (madrid, España)

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#129

Biltmore Estate Library, Asheville, Nc, Usa

Biltmore Estate Library, Asheville, Nc, Usa

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#130

Boston Public Library

Boston Public Library

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#131

Anna Centenary Library Chennai, Tn ,india..

Anna Centenary Library Chennai, Tn ,india..

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#132

Seattle, Washington ,central Library

Seattle, Washington ,central Library

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#133

The British Library, London, United Kingdom

The British Library, London, United Kingdom

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#134

Reading Room Of The Picton Library, Liverpool

Reading Room Of The Picton Library, Liverpool

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#135

The 19th Century National Library Of Greece In Athens

The 19th Century National Library Of Greece In Athens

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#136

Carolina Rediviva, The Library Of Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

Carolina Rediviva, The Library Of Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

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#137

Bookseller Decorated

Bookseller Decorated

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#138

Biblioteca Nacional De España

Biblioteca Nacional De España

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#139

Public Library Of New South Wales, Australia

Public Library Of New South Wales, Australia

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#140

Kaohsiung Main Public Library , Kaohsiung , Taiwan

Kaohsiung Main Public Library , Kaohsiung , Taiwan

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#141

Biblioteca Palafoxiana, Declarada Memoria Del Mundo Por La Unesco, Puebla, México

Biblioteca Palafoxiana, Declarada Memoria Del Mundo Por La Unesco, Puebla, México

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#142

Stuttgart Library

Stuttgart Library

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#143

Coimbra University Joanine Library

Coimbra University Joanine Library

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#144

Boston Public Library, Massachusetts Usa

Boston Public Library, Massachusetts Usa

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#145

Library At Alexandria

Library At Alexandria

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#146

The Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library

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#147

University Library In Wien, Austria

University Library In Wien, Austria

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#148

Arabian Library In Scottsdale, Arizona, Usa

Arabian Library In Scottsdale, Arizona, Usa

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#149

Seattle Public Library, Main Library

Seattle Public Library, Main Library

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#150

El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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#151

Detroit Public Library

Detroit Public Library

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#152

Morgan Library, Nyc

Morgan Library, Nyc

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#153

City Centre Library, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

City Centre Library, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

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#154

Boston Public Library, Boston, Ma

Boston Public Library, Boston, Ma

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