14 Incredible Libraries Around the World

These pillars of higher learning are also home to some of the world's most incredible architecture. Below is a small collection of stunning libraries around the globe. From the historical to the modern, these centres of knowledge and learning also preserve the history and culture of their respective periods. Personally, I would find it hard to concentrate in some of these places, they are too beautiful for the eye not to wander. More images after the break... 1. University Club Library - New York City, United States Photograph by Peter Bond Photograph by Peter Bond 2. Canadian Library of Parliament - Ottawa, Canada Photograph by James Gillard Photograph by James Gillard 3. Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library - New Haven, Connecticut Photograph by Lauren Manning Photograph by KAALpurush 4. Iowa State Capital Law Library - United States Photograph by Tani Livengood 5. Suzzalo Library at the University of Washington - Seattle, Washington Photograph by Sam Photograph by Sam 6. Admont Abbey Library - Austria Photograph by Ognipensierovo 7. State Library - Victoria, Australia  Photograph by Waltonics 8. Library at El Real Monasterio de El Escorial - Madrid, Spain Photograph by Jose Maria Cuellar 9. José Vasconcelos Library - Mexico City, Mexico14  Photograph by Pedro Vasquez Colmenares Photograph by Aurelio Asiain 10. Real Gabinete Português de Leitura - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  Photograph by Ruy Barbosa Pinto 11. National Library of Finland - Helsinki, Finland Photograph by Marj-Liisa 12. Mitchell Library - Sydney, Australia Photograph by Christopher Chan 13. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at University of Toronto - Toronto, Canada Photograph by Fadi J 14. George Peabody Library - Baltimore, Maryland  Photograph by Danielle King 15. Strahov Theological Hall - Prague, Czech Republic