There are few things in life better than a library, and fortunately there are a ton of epic libraries around the world for us all to enjoy! But what do you do if you can’t visit all the cool libraries around the world? Not to worry! There are plenty of marvelous virtual library tours to help you enjoy these libraries from the comfort of your own couch!
Of course, if you have the chance to visit these in person then that is absolutely amazing…but for now, enjoy a virtual glimpse into some of the most beautiful libraries on the planet!
1. The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library (also known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building) is a landmark in New York City. It’s an impressive marble structure when viewed from the outside, but the inside is equally as gorgeous!
Luckily, we have the opportunity to explore inside with this virtual tour. There are three areas you can choose to view, and you simply click and drag around to see whatever side of the room you want to. While nothing compares to being in a library in person, taking a library virtual tour like this one is an excellent way to explore from the comfort of your home!
2. The Klementinum Library
If you want to take a virtual library tour of one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, then you need to take a look at the Klementinum Library. This library is the National Library of the Czech Republic and the interior will blow you away!
You can visit many different rooms in the Klementinum on this virtual library tour, including the reading rooms and the three Baroque Library halls. The Baroque Libraries are by far the most incredible library spaces I’ve ever seen (I’ve actually been here in person!) so you will definitely want to take a look at them. And during your virtual tour, you will also want to make sure you look at the ceilings as they are beyond incredible!
After you take a look at this library, I’m sure you’ll agree that you could literally spend hours just exploring this one library online! It’s simply dazzling in all its beauty.
3. Library of Alexandria
The Library of Alexandria was one of the largest and most important libraries of the ancient world, but was unfortunately destroyed (first in a partial accidental burning by Julius Caesar and then later probably fully destroyed by Aurelian). While this is a horrible tragedy, there is actually a new Library of Alexandria in Egypt that officially opened in 2002.
This new library (also known as the Bibliotheca Alexandrina) is a commemoration of the original Library of Alexandria as well as an attempt to rekindle the brilliance of that original library. If you’re interested, you can explore the huge main reading room and see what it looks like today! This may be a modern library, but it is still quite impressive and aesthetically pleasing.
4. Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library
Harvard University’s Widener Library is home to over 3.5 million books and is at the center of the Harvard Library system. This impressive library was constructed as a memorial for Harry Elkins Widener—a Harvard graduate, book collector, and bibliophile—who died during the sinking of the Titanic.
The Widener Library is a beautiful place, and it is also one of the most interactive library tours online. You can drag the mouse up and down and around to see 360° views, as well as clicking on the white circles on the floor to “walk around” the rooms. There are two different floors and many, many rooms to explore (using the controls in the lower left corner)…so go ahead and start exploring now! It’s a fun and interactive way to experience this phenomenal library.
5. George Peabody Library
The George Peabody Library in Maryland is a stunning sight to see! This research library first opened in 1878 and is part of Johns Hopkins University, but it makes its collections open to the public so anyone can use this library.
Luckily for those of us who don’t live in Maryland, we can view the extraordinary interior online. As you click around, you really do start to get a sense just how imposing and awesome this library would be to see in real life!
6. Divinity School at the Bodleian Library
Oxford doesn’t allow much photography in their actual libraries, but you can explore the Divinity School online, which is a part of the Bodleian Library complex and was used as the infirmary in the Harry Potter films.
This gorgeous room was built between 1427-1483, and when you take a look at this building online you’ll especially want to notice the intricate and elaborate vaulted ceiling. And if after you explore you find yourself wanting to see inside the libraries where students still study today, then you can also check out this video tour to see inside the Radcliffe Camera and Duke Humfrey’s Library (my favorite study spots while I was at Oxford University!)
7. Admont Abbey Library
When you’re looking for amazing virtual library tours online, the Admont Abbey Library should definitely be on your list to see! This Austrian library is the largest monastic library in the world, at around 230 feet long and 46 feet wide. In all, it contains around 70,000 volumes in this one library room!
While all the other library tours on this list are free, Admont’s online library tour does require you to pay a minimal fee (under $2). But it’s worth it to virtually explore the awe-inspiring room with its magnificent bookshelves and stunning frescoes. It’s like a glimpse into heaven!
8. Library of Parliament
The Library of Parliament in Ottawa, Canada is every library-lover’s dream! Equally breathtaking from the outside and the inside, this is the type of library everyone needs to see at least once in their life (if only virtually!).
As you explore this library virtually, be sure to take in all the intricate details…from the perfectly geometric bookshelf organization, to the fancy lights hanging from the ceiling! One could only dream of reading here… *sigh*
9. The Morgan Library
Another amazing library in New York City that you can view online is the Morgan Library. This library was originally built in 1906 to house financier Pierpont Morgan’s private collection of illuminated, historical, and literary manuscripts and books, but it is now a research library with an ever-expanding collection.
As you take a look inside this library, you’ll find there’s a ton to see. From the huge fireplace, to the stained glass on the windows, to the elaborate ceiling (which you can learn about here)—it’s definitely a little like playing I spy in this remarkable room!
10. King’s College Library
King’s College Library at Cambridge University is another swoon-worthy library you’ll long to read in. This library has been around since the college’s founding in 1441, and today it preserves many significant rare books and manuscripts.
As you take a virtual tour of this library, you’ll have the chance to peek into several different rooms (using the “navigate the library” button on the top left). You can also click on the question marks that pop up throughout the rooms to learn some fun facts about this library. And be sure to peek out the window in the Munby Room—can you imagine reading with that view?! What a dream!
If you are looking for more libraries to view virtually, you can also find plenty of video tours of libraries on sites like YouTube. What is your favorite library? And is it available to view online?
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