The Largest Library in the World Will Blow Your Mind!

Written by Nixza Gonzalez
Updated: February 26, 2024
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Libraries are a fascinating place. They hold so much knowledge, within just a small amount of space, but what about the largest library in the world? How many books are there, and what is the size of the library? Follow along to find out.

What is the Largest Library in the World?

USA, Washington, DC. Reading room Scientific Library of Congress (Library of Jefferson)

The largest library in the world is the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

©Galina Mikhalishina/Shutterstock.com

The largest library in the world is the Library of Congress in the United States. It’s a very significant research library and is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The books held in this library are impressive. There are books written in over 470 languages. The Library of Congress holds over 164 million items with 838 miles of bookshelves.

About The Library of Congress

Washington DC - Library of Congress building

The Library of Congress is over 200 years old.

©Orhan Cam/Shutterstock.com

The Library of Congress was established over 200 years ago on April 24, 1800. It’s housed in different buildings including the Thomas Jefferson Building, John Adams Building, and James Madison Memorial Building on Capital Hill. The oldest of the buildings, and the main building, is the Thomas Jefferson Building which opened in 1897.

This unique and massive library is a great place to visit. You can visit the Thomas Jefferson Building from Tuesday through Saturday for free with a timed-entry ticket.

Other Large Libraries

As incredible as the Library of Congress is, there are other libraries just as big, or slightly smaller in the world. Another large library in the world, is the British Library, a research library in the U.K. It may be home to over 200 million items including recordings, books, stamps, prints, and more.

The Shanghai Library is also a large library. It’s one of the largest libraries in the world and houses over 57 million items. This massive library is the largest in China.

In Germany, you can find the impressive German National Library. It was established in 1912, making it over a hundred years old. This library is home to over 43 million items.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Oomka/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Nixza Gonzalez is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering topics like travel, geography, plants, and marine animals. She has over six years of experience as a content writer and holds an Associate of Arts Degree. A resident of Florida, Nixza loves spending time outdoors exploring state parks and tending to her container garden.

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