There are only two things a reader loves more than books: a steaming hot beverage and a well-stocked library. Libraries have been the ultimate safe havens for readers for as long as the written word has been around. And there's nothing nearly as comforting as being surrounded by the smell of old books and the prospect of a literary adventure.
On Book Lovers Day today, here's a list of the 7 best, bucket list-worthy libraries from across the world that every bibliophile must visit before they die! Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at the New York Public Library in New York One of the most iconic public libraries in the world, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at the New York Public Library has been the focus of many novels and movies.
Located in mid-town Manhattan, the building itself has an estimated 2.5 million volumes spanning over 4000 years and despite its impressive collection, the main attraction is its ornate baroque ceiling. David Sassoon Library and Reading Room in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai After a 16-month restoration process which began in February 2022, the David Sassoon Library has become one of the most iconic libraries in all of Mumbai as well as one of Asia's oldest functioning reading rooms.
While the library is on the smaller side, it houses nearly 30,000 books and a verandah that overlooks the bustling cafe scene of Mumbai — an exemplary showcase of how you can preserve the heritage surrounding historical Indian reading rooms in the 21st century. Biblioteca Vascon.