The 10 Coolest Libraries in the World

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Libraries Are Important and Endangered

Outside the doors of a school library in Union City, California, a sign reads, "Due to budget cuts, this library is closed."

This is not an unusual sign. Across the U.S., school libraries are affected by a lack of funding. In what the Library Research Service calls "a disturbing trend," the state and national numbers of school librarians have steadily declined over the last six years.

Nancy Everhart, the 2010–2011 president of the American Association of School Librarians, believes action needs to be taken to prevent further cuts. According to the 2012 State of America's Libraries report, she says, "Not only do strong school library programs create an environment where independent reading is valued, promoted, and encouraged, but studies have repeatedly demonstrated that students in schools with strong school library programs learn more, get better grades, and score higher on standardized tests."

Public libraries are also deeply affected. In Detroit, four out of 23 public library branches closed last year, and 23 states reported cuts in state funding for public libraries from 2010–2011 to 2011–2012, according to the American Library Association.

As the library crisis becomes more dire, Marcia Warner of the Public Library Association, suggests that library directors "step up in the community and let their voices be heard" as well as seek private funding from library advocates.

I think we can all agree that libraries are invaluable resources for people who aren't interested, or able, to shell out $25 for a book. To get inspired to advocate for our libraries, check out 10 of the coolest libraries in the world.

Photo: Andreas Gohr/Creative Cooms via Flickr

Jose Vasconcelos Library, Mexico City

Nominated as one of the most modern libraries in the world, the Jose Vasconcelos Library in Mexico City is home to 580,000 books. The children’s quarters of the library are highly advanced and house over 67,000 books and 25 computers with interactive programs. The literacy rate in Mexico is 99 percent for children and 93 percent for adults.

Photo: Francisco Anzola/Creative Commons via Flickr

The Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

As the largest library in the world and the oldest in the country, The Library of Congress stores more than 34.5 million books and other print materials, 3.3 million recordings, 13.4 million photographs, 5.4 million maps, 6.5 million pieces of sheet music and 66.6 million manuscripts.

Photo: Gabriel Rodríguez/Creative Commons via Flickr

The Royal Library, Denmark

Completed in 1999, the Royal Library in Copenhagen, Denmark, has seven stories filled with the country's largest and most extensive collections of books, newspapers, journals, maps, printed music, manuscripts, and letters. There is also an international author's stage for readings and an ensemble of 10 musicians. The country has an extremely high literacy rate: 99 percent.

Photo: Mik Hartwell/Creative Commons via Flickr

Indianapolis Central Library, Indiana

The Indianapolis Central Library has many options for "little learners," including storytime and art workshops for preschool kids. In a city where 67 percent of fourth graders and 75 percent of eighth graders are reading below proficiency level, libraries such as this are essential. The beautiful library also offers business and college prep workshops.

Photo: Serge Melki/Creative Commons via Flickr

Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt

As the modern-day descendent of the original Library of Alexandria—the most famous library of classical antiquity, which was created in the third century BC—the Bibliotheca Alexandrina that stands in Egypt today includes a planetarium, four museums, six specialized libraries, and room for many books. Despite housing one of the world’s greatest libraries, the adult literacy rate in Egypt is a low 66 percent.

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg/Creative Commons via Flickr

Seattle Central Library, Washington

With the capacity to hold up to 1.5 million books at any given time, the design of the Seattle Public Library was dictated by the shape and storage structures of the books inside. The glass and steel building also has 400 computers for public use.

Photo: LWY/Creative Commons via Flickr

The National Library, Singapore

The state-of-the-art National Library in Singapore extends its services through a large collection of multimedia, arts, languages, and a children’s wing. The library also hosts English storytelling nights and a variety of programs for children. The literacy rate among adults 15 years and older in Singapore is 96 percent.

Photo: deacon/Creative Commons via Flickr

Real Gabinete Portugues De Leitura, Brazil

In 2006, 14 million youth, adults, and elderly were illiterate in Brazil. Recognizing a crisis, the federal government instated the Literate Brazil Program to support public and private agencies and increase literacy in the country. The program set up literacy programs, provided educational and pedagogical materials, and empowered the socially disadvantaged with literacy training. Libraries in the country played a key role in the program and the community by providing spaces for education and unity. Since its establishment, the program has provided services for nearly eight million young and adult learners.

This gorgeous library houses over 350,000 books, many of which date back to the 16th and 18th centuries. It also holds a collection of paintings and sculptures.

Photo: Rosino/Creative Commons via Flickr

Bogota City Library, Colombia

Sitting on 76,000 square feet of land, the Bogota City Library boasts a collection of 35,000 volumes, with a special emphasis on art. The architect of the building, Daniel Bermudez, is known for designing libraries and university buildings throughout Bogota, Colombia. The country's literacy rate is 92.5 percent.

Photo: Matt Lemmon/Creative Commons via Flickr

Fullwell Cross Library, London

A captivating domed and scalloped ceiling tops off the Fullwell Cross Library in London, England. The mayor of London has dedicated his time and energy to promote literacy in the city by launching a new reading and literacy project to help young children. The project has recruited 500 volunteers to work with 2,000 families in 12 boroughs.

Photo: Steve Cadman/Creative Commons via Flickr

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Reading Is Fundamental is asking you to petition Congress and urge lawmakers to continue funding the Department of Education’s Innovate Approaches to Literacy grant competition.