Libraries – Thomas Guignard photography

A spacious library with long wooden tables and chairs arranged in rows, tall bookshelves filled with books on two levels, large windows letting in natural light, and two levels of mezzanines with ornate railings. There is a spiral staircase at the back.

Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Tirol

Completed on the eve of the First World War, the university library of Innsbruck first served as a military hospital before it could open.

Large, modern library with rows of tables where many people are seated, studying or using laptops. Bookshelves are visible in the background. The ceiling has visible blue ducts and industrial lighting.

Bibliothèque Publique d’Information du Centre Pompidou

One of the world's most recognizable museums, Paris' Centre Pompidou is also home to the largest public library in the city.

Wide-angle view of a modern library interior with tall bookshelves filled with books, overhead lights, and exposed steel beams supporting a white ceiling. A wooden floor and tables are visible in the center aisle.

Åbo Akademi Arkens bibliotek

From ore to lore: this former iron mill in Finland's old capital is now the arts faculty library.

Large, modern library interior with tall white columns, rows of bookshelves filled with books, high ceilings, and large windows letting in natural light. Several people are sitting and reading or browsing books.

Töölö Library, Helsinki

A nice example of Finnish modernism, this library was originally part of a larger urban project by architect Aarne Ervi.

Bibliothèque du Jardin botanique de Genève

The home of one of the world's foremost botanical collections, this library is also a landmark of Swiss modernist architecture.

A spacious library with wooden floors, rows of bookshelves filled with books, study tables with chairs, a ladder by the shelves, and a ceiling decorated with a baroque fresco.

Bibliothek der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften

For over 150 years, the library that saw the birth of higher education in Vienna laid all but forgotten, ending up as a table tennis court for policemen. A spectacular renovation brought it back to life.

Exterior of a postmodern building, comprised of curved sections fanning out towards a grass meadow. Two people are walking on a path to the left.

Archives cantonales vaudoises

The visual complexity of the Vaud cantonal archives building reflects its internal organization.

A person walks through a brick-arched library with bookshelves filled with books on both sides and another section visible through an arched doorway.

Biblioteca Comunale degli Intronati di Siena

The Intronati library combines a modern public library with a priceless historical collection inside the former home of one of Europe's oldest universities.

Interior of a church converted to a library. A glass enclosure containing the library is at the back, only occupying part of the church, which can be seen around the library.

Bibliothèque Félicité-Angers, Neuville

This little town in Quebec found an original way to preserve rare religious artifacts while updating the little-used church that protects them.

A two-story modern building with large windows and a gray roof, surrounded by landscaped gardens and bushes. The text "l'ISDC" is written on the building.

Bibliothèque de l’Institut Suisse de Droit Comparé

A modest pavillon on the university of Lausanne campus hosts a renowned law collection.

A large historic building with arched windows and columns stands on a snowy street. Leafless trees line the sidewalk, and blue banners hang from the facade. Snow covers the ground and parts of the building.

Former Toronto Reference Library

When it opened in 1908, the Central Reference Library was among Toronto's first purpose-built library buildings.

A red sports car is parked in front of a symmetrical brick building with columns and arched architectural details on a cloudy day. The street and surrounding area are quiet.

Former Preston Carnegie Library, Cambridge ON

Now a private property, this former library is a fine example of rural Carnegie libraries of the early 20th century.