
I love all kinds of libraries, from small-town public libraries to huge university research libraries. The first library I posted about on this blog was the Atlanta Public Library in Illinois. It was so charming—a 1908 octagonal building I didn’t take nearly enough photos of. That was in 2010, and I didn’t realize it would kick off this series of posts featuring pictures of libraries that I either stumble upon or intentionally visit.
Because I do not want to bother people or post photos in which patrons are easily identifiable, I’m often unable to take pictures of the entire interior of a library because — hurrah! — libraries are usually busy places. As a result, these posts are not comprehensive library tours. If you should notice yourself in a photo and want me to blur your image, just let me know.
ALASKA
CONNECTICUT
- Bethlehem
- Branford
- Chester
- Derby
- East Haddam
- East Haven
- Essex
- Farmington, Tunxis Library
- Glastonbury, East Glastonbury
- Glastonbury, South Glastonbury
- Glastonbury, Welles-Turner Memorial Library
- Guilford
- Hamden
- Hartford, Thomas J. Meskill Law Library (UCONN)
- Ivoryton
- Kent
- Milford
- Moodus (East Haddam)
- Mystic
- New Haven, Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
- New Haven, The Institute Library, Guest post on The Emerald City Book Review
- New London
- Norfolk
- Norwich, Old Otis Library, 1850
- Old Lyme
- Salisbury, Guest post on Book Bloggers International
- Unionville, old West End Library
- Westbrook
ILLINOIS
- Arlington Heights
- Atlanta
- Belvidere
- Brookfield
- Chicago, Blackstone Branch
- Chicago, Loyola University
- Chillicothe, Old Carnegie Library, 1915
- Chillicothe, New Public Library, 2005
- Dwight
- Freeport, Three libraries
- Galena
- Hines, Veterans Hospital
- Riverside
IOWA
MAINE
MASSACHUSETTS
- Amherst
- Bernardston
- Buckland
- Lenox
- New Bedford
- Northampton, Forbes Library
- South Hadley, Chihuly art installation at Williston Memorial Library, Mount Holyoke College
NEBRASKA
- Beatrice, Old Carnegie Library, 1904
- Beatrice, New Public Library, 1991
- Hastings
- Plattsmouth
- Red Cloud
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NEW YORK
- Katonah Village Library
- Manhattan, Bobst Library NYU
- Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Jefferson Market Library
- Manhattan, The Morgan
- Manhattan, New York Public Library, Main Branch
- Manhattan, The New York Society Library
- Nyack Public Library
OHIO
- Brumback Libray, Van Wert
PENNSYLVANIA
- Pittsburgh — The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
- Washington, Citizens Library
- Washington, Washington and Jefferson College (2)
RHODE ISLAND
VERMONT
- Manchester Center
- Newfane, Moore Free Library
VIRGINIA
WASHINGTON
Washington, D.C.
- Library of Congress Jefferson Building
Send me on a mission!
Is there a New England library you’d like me to visit? Let me know! I’ll do my best to make it there and then report back here.
P.S. Sometimes libraries are closed when I stumble upon them and for a while I titled those posts “Library Stops.” When I got to walk around inside a library and take interior shots, I titled those posts “Library Visits.” (As of late 2021 I’m no longer making these designations.)
What a great idea! Love it so much, and definitely considering starting one of my own. Even more so, as a librarian-by-day book blogger.
Hello, by the way (I'm here via the Dewey's Readathon signup list.) The best part of the Readathon is getting to know other bookish folks and their blogs.
Happy reading!
Thanks for visiting, Elizabeth! I hope you do start a library related feature! I wasn't active on my blog during the readathon this time, but I'm off to check out your blog now.
Hi Chris; I’ve gotten some great information from your blog and I appreciate it. I’d be honored if you checked out our just started YouTube channel; Travel by the Book TV – where we focus on literary travel as well as cool libraries. I think it would be right up your alley. http://www.youtube.com/@travelbythebooktv
Hi Duane, thanks so much for including the link to your channel. I just watched your pilgrimage to Mark Twain’s Elmira, NY and look forward to watching more of your videos. As I said over on YouTube, keep up the great work!
Thanks. I’m sure you’ll see some things that are familiar to you.