I posti con più della cosa*

1. Library of Congress
    Washington D.C., U.S.A


This library is both U.S.A.'s national library, but also the oldest federal cultural institution. It holds more than 32 million books, more than 61 million manuscripts, a draft of the Declaration of Independence and one of only 4 perfect vellum copies of the Gutenberg Bible in the world. It is also known for having over 1 million newspapers from the last 3 centuries, over 5 million maps, 6 million pieces of sheet music, and more than 14 million photos and prints. The building itself consists of 3 edifices, being the largest library in the world for shelf space and number of volumes. Even though it is open to the public and as a turist attraction, only specifiec govnerment officials can check out books. The library is formally known as the "library of last resource", icharged with making certain items available to other national libraries if all other means have been exhausted.


2. Bodleian Library
    Oxford, U.K.

Established in 1602 as Oxford University's library, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. The library houses more than 11 million items, including many of historical importance: four copies of the Magna Carta, a Gutenberg Bible, and Shakespeare's First Folio (from 1623), just to name a few. Though Bodleian comprises multiple buildings, perhaps the most visually interesting is Radcliffe Camera, built in 1737-1749 to house the Radcliffe Science Library. The earliest circular library in England, Radcliffe has outlasted its 15 minutes of fame by appearing in multiple films, including Young Sherlock Holmes, The Saint, The Red Violin, and The Golden Compass.

3. Reading room at the British Museum
    London, U.K.

Is located in the center of the Museum's Great Court. The building's domed exterior protects a unique interior ceiling made of a special kind of papier-mache. The majority of the collection of books was moved to the new British Library in 2000; the Reading Room now houses an information center and a curated collection of specialty art and history titles relevant to the collections of the British Museum. 

4. Yale University Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
    New Haven, Conneticut, U.S.A.

The Yale University Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library holds the distinction of being the largest building in the world that serves the express purpose of preserving rare books and manuscripts, which alone undoubtedly makes it one of the best libraries in the world. Beinecke's central shelving area includes glass walls and soft lighting to protect the works from direct light. Accessible to the public as a tourist attraction, the library's exhibition hall displays many of the library's rare works, including one of only 48 copies in existence of a treasured Gutenberg Bible.

5. Vatican Library  
    Vatican City, Rome

The Vatican Library, under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, is one of the oldest libraries in the world. Though it was formally established in 1475, its existence in early forms dates back to the origins of the Catholic Church. For nearly 600 years, the library has added to its collection through historic acquisitions, generous bequests, and gracious gifts. The Vatican Library currently holds mor than 1.1 million books, 75,000 manuscripts, and over 8,500 incunabula. Fittingly, the library owns the oldest complete manuscript of the Bible, as well as many other significant works from medieval times.