If you are the kind of person who finds yourself shedding a tear for everything lost in the burning of the famed library of Alexandria or feeling melancholy over thousands of destroyed Mayan codices, you can take some heart. There are still a good number of historic public libraries watching over the collected printed history of humanity.
And though the digital age would have you believe that such collections are out of date, the majesty of these hallowed halls would beg to differ. Take the gorgeous Raza library in Rampur, India which is said to be the most important collection of knowledge in South Asia. Just in its largesse, this historical center tells a narrative of the history of the region that cannot otherwise be made palpable.
Spanning from the 6th century and situated around the world, Oldest has put together their top 11 choices for the most invaluable historic public libraries, which together house millions of books and historical materials.
Which one is on your bucket list?
Poisonous books removed from the National Library of France
Book Returned to Scottish Library 73 Years Late
Librarian discovers cash inside book returned 53 years late
