The most beautiful libraries in the world.

I am spending all afternoon in the library today, working on my paper. The Special Collections room here is nice, but I would much rather be back in the British Library (even if I still had to work on a paper...), or visiting one of these gorgeous places...

The Philosophical Library, Strahov Monastery. Prague, Czech Republic. Oh, if only I had known about this place when Tom and I went to Prague, I could have my own picture to post instead of someone else's! Pout.

Biblioteca Angelica. Rome, Italy. Sigh, same woe as with the Prague library.

Biblioteca Geral, University of Coimbra. Coimbra, Portugal. This one reminds me of the library in Beauty and the Beast, yes?

Duke of Humphrey's Library, Bodleian, Oxford University. Oxford, England.

Chetham's Library. Manchester, England. I just want to settle in with a candle and a beer (though I doubt that would be allowed) and a giant book bound in leather and straps, possibly on medieval torture or something great like that.

George Peabody Library. Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Handelingenkamer Tweede Kamer Der Staten-Generaal Den Haag (whew!). The Hague, Netherlands.

Queen's College Library, Oxford University. Oxford, England.

Riggs Library, Georgetown University. Washington DC, USA. I love how this one looks like the inside of an old ship, all iron railings and grates.

Suzzallo Library. Seattle, WA, USA.

All these and many more at Curious Expeditions. How glad am I that someone decided that this list needed to be made? Very glad. Wish me luck on my paper!