define library tour

Library Tour

The library is a sanctuary of knowledge, a repository of stories, and a gateway to endless exploration. In the digital age, where information is at our fingertips, the physical library space remains an invaluable haven for those who seek to delve into the depths of human understanding. Stepping beyond the threshold of a library unveils a realm of possibilities, and one of the most engaging ways to embark on this journey is through a library tour. Whether you’re a newcomer to the hallowed halls of academia or a curious community member, a library tour offers more than just a glimpse of the shelves; it is an invitation to uncover a world rich in resources, services, and the history of human thought.

1.1 What is a Library Tour?

A library tour is a guided odyssey into the heart of a treasured institution, a captivating journey that introduces participants to the multifaceted world of libraries. More than a mere walkthrough of book-lined aisles and quiet study nooks, a library tour is an immersive experience designed to acquaint visitors with the myriad resources, services, and spaces that libraries offer. From the moment one steps into the library, the tour becomes a portal to discovery, unveiling the intricate web of knowledge meticulously curated and preserved within its walls.

At its core, a library tour is an orientation initiation- offering a comprehensive introduction to the library’s layout, services, and the diverse array of materials at one’s fingertips. Guides, often librarians well-versed in the library’s offerings, lead participants through a carefully choreographed sequence of stops, each unveiling a new facet of the library’s offerings. These stops might include vibrant children’s sections that ignite young minds, serene reading areas that invite quiet contemplation, cutting-edge technology hubs that bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, and bustling research zones where intellectual pursuits come alive.

But a library tour is not merely a physical journey. It’s a tapestry woven with narratives of the past, present, and future. Within its narrative threads lie tales of authors, thinkers, and inventors who have contributed to the world’s intellectual wealth and insights into the library’s historical and architectural significance. Moreover, a library tour acts as a compass, guiding individuals through the labyrinthine corridors of information , revealing the art of navigation amid a sea of knowledge . It fosters a sense of belonging, enabling visitors to connect to the library as a community hub where minds converge, ideas sprout, and dreams take flight.

1.2 A typical library tour will include a visit to the following areas:

A typical library tour is carefully curated to provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the library’s offerings and spaces. Visitors traverse through the library’s halls and are introduced to various areas that collectively contribute to the library’s role as a hub of knowledge, learning, and community engagement. Here are some of the key areas that a typical library tour may include:

• Entrance and Welcome Area : The tour often commences at the library’s entrance or welcome area, where participants receive a warm greeting and an introduction to the tour’s itinerary. They may also learn about the library’s history, mission, and services here.
• Circulation Desk : The central hub for checking out and returning library materials. Visitors may learn about the library’s borrowing policies, how to access their accounts, and interact with library staff.
• Reading and Study Areas : Participants are guided through various reading and study zones within the library. These areas might include quiet study spaces, group study rooms, comfortable seating for reading, and computer workstations.
• Reference and Research Services : The tour often stops at the reference desk, where visitors can learn about the library’s research assistance services. Librarians might explain how to access databases, search for scholarly resources, and receive help with research inquiries.
• Children’s and Young Adult Sections : Libraries often have dedicated spaces for children and young adults, complete with age-appropriate books, educational materials, and engaging activities. The tour may highlight these sections and discuss the library’s efforts to promote literacy among younger generations.
• Technology and Digital Resources : This area showcases the library’s technological offerings, including online catalogs, e-books, e-journals, databases, and multimedia resources. Participants might learn about accessing these resources and utilizing technology within the library.
• Special Collections and Archives : If applicable, the tour could provide insight into the library’s special collections, rare books, manuscripts, and archival materials. Visitors might gain an appreciation for the historical and cultural significance of these unique holdings.
• Exhibition Spaces : Some libraries host temporary exhibitions or displays that showcase specific themes, topics, or artifacts. The tour might include visiting these exhibition spaces to highlight the library’s role in promoting cultural awareness and intellectual exploration.
• Multimedia and Creative Spaces : Libraries with multimedia labs, recording studios, or maker spaces may feature these areas on the tour. Participants may learn about opportunities for creative expression and skill development.
• Community Engagement Zones : Libraries often serve as community hubs, offering spaces for meetings, workshops, and events. The tour could highlight areas where community members gather for discussions, presentations, and collaborative projects.
• Quiet Zones and Relaxation Areas : The tour might lead participants to designated quiet zones or relaxation areas where they can unwind, meditate, or reflect in a serene environment.
• Library Café or Lounge : If the library has a café or lounge area, the tour might conclude there, offering participants a chance to relax, socialize, and discuss their impressions of the tour.

A well-structured library tour weaves together these diverse areas, creating a holistic experience that showcases the library’s multifaceted role in education, research, cultural preservation, and community engagement.

In summary, a library tour encapsulates the essence of exploration and learning. It embodies the age-old adage that knowledge is power and invites all who partake to become stewards of that power. A library tour is an opportunity to unlock the mind’s potential, embark on a journey of intellectual growth, and become part of a legacy that has spanned generations. So, whether you’re a wide-eyed student embarking on your academic journey or a curious soul seeking the untold stories of the world, a library tour is your key to unlocking the doorways of enlightenment.

1.3 Benefits of Taking a Library Tour:

A library tour offers many benefits for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re a student, a researcher, a community member, or simply someone curious about the world of knowledge, embarking on a library tour can be an enlightening and enriching experience. Here are some of the key benefits of taking a library tour:

• Orientation and Familiarity : A tour is an excellent orientation for newcomers to a library. You’ll become familiar with the library’s layout, critical areas, and services, making it easier to navigate and utilize its resources in the future.
• Discovering Resources : A library tour introduces you to the diverse resources available, from traditional books and periodicals to digital databases, e-books, multimedia, and special collections. You’ll learn how to access and utilize these resources effectively.
• Effective Research Skills : Librarians often share research strategies and techniques during tours, helping you develop valuable research skills. You’ll gain insights into searching for information, evaluating sources, and conducting comprehensive research.
• Personalized Assistance : Many library tours are led by knowledgeable librarians who can answer your questions and provide personalized guidance. This interaction can help you understand how to maximize the library’s services for your specific needs.
• Understanding Services : Library tours highlight the various services, such as interlibrary loans, reference assistance, technology support, and more. Knowing about these services can save you time and effort when seeking help in the future.
• Cultural and Historical Context : Libraries have a rich history and cultural significance. A library tour may provide insights into the library’s architectural features, role in the community, and contributions to preserving cultural heritage.
• Inspiration and Creativity : Libraries are hubs of creativity and inspiration. Exploring different sections, such as maker spaces or creative zones, can spark your creativity and encourage you to explore new interests and skills.
• Community Engagement : Library tours may showcase spaces for community gatherings, workshops, and events. Participating in these activities can help you connect with like-minded individuals and become an active part of your community.
• Enhancing Learning : Whether you’re a student or a lifelong learner, a library tour exposes you to various subjects and disciplines. It can inspire you to delve deeper into areas of interest and broaden your intellectual horizons.
• Empowerment Through Information : By learning how to navigate a library’s resources and services, you gain the power to find accurate and reliable information. This empowers you to make informed academic, professional, and personal decisions.
• Promoting Literacy and Education : Library tours often emphasize the importance of literacy and education. For younger participants, these tours can instill a love for reading and learning, setting the stage for a lifelong journey of intellectual growth.
• Cultivating Critical Thinking : As you explore different resources and learn to evaluate information, you develop critical thinking skills for analyzing, interpreting, and synthesizing knowledge.

A library tour goes beyond the physical space; it’s an investment in your personal and intellectual development. It equips you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to harness the library’s vast offerings and engage meaningfully with the world of ideas.

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Increasing book discoverability to increase sales, library tours: how to set them up and what they can do for you.

Conducting a regional library tour is one of the least appreciated ways to sell books and gain crucial exposure at the same time. If you live in a small state, the tour might include most of its libraries. If your state is too large for that, confine your visits to a manageable geographical area. The idea is to arrive at each library, make your presentation, have the book signing, and be back home within two or three hours. The benefits of such visits may include receiving requests for further speaking engagements. It isn’t unusual, for example, for program directors of service clubs (e.g., Rotary, Lions) to be in the audience. Libraries tend to promote their events heavily, so even if the number of attendees is low, your name and the title of your book may be published in local newspapers or mentioned on radio. Multiply this by the number of visits you plan on making, and you will have a sense of your potential media coverage.

The Program and the People

Some people may attend your program with your book already in hand, having bought it in a bookstore or on the Internet. This is still a favorable feature of the tour, because they may have made the purchase in anticipation of your appearance and are there primarily to hear what you have to say, and to obtain your signature and perhaps a personal inscription. The event may well inspire them to spread the word about your book. My tour–for Famous Crimes Revisited , which I wrote with Dr. Henry Lee–took me to 120 libraries throughout Connecticut, where I live. Each program lasted about an hour. I spoke for 15 minutes, took questions (most dealt with details of criminal cases), and concluded with the signing session. The book lent itself to such a format, but you can tailor your presentation to your own subject matter and your own comfort level. For example, in initial remarks, you might incorporate a passage from your novel, short story, or collection of poems; or, in the case of nonfiction, take questions on the facts you’ve written about or the advice you’ve advanced. The number of attendees on my tour ranged from a handful to several hundred, with an average of 50 to 60. About one-third purchased books, but that number often represented two-thirds, because spouses would attend and the couple would buy a single copy. Sometimes a person would buy several books to give away as gifts.

The Library Tour Nitty-Gritty

Obtain a list of all the libraries in your state or region. Any major one of them can help you with this. Make sure it contains the vital information about each library, such as address, phone numbers, names of staff, and operating budget, if available. It’s also helpful to know whether a library has meeting rooms. It’s most important of all to know whether it has a Friends of the Library organization or its equivalent. Library Friends groups are proud of their work and usually put more time into rounding up attendees than the library staffers, who have other responsibilities. Take all these factors into consideration when choosing which libraries to contact. Be selective. Make your own phone calls. Ask for the director, program director, or reference librarian. Explain what you have to offer and that you charge no fee as long as you may bring books along for signing and purchase. Some libraries provide an honorarium; either accept it or offer to donate it back. Others might indicate they don’t allow the transfer of money in the library, but that you’re welcome to put on your program. Do honor the invitation and do show up (it’s good PR, and word gets around). Stress that you’ll bring your own supply of books and mention that you’ll arrange for a press kit to be mailed to them along with a complimentary copy of the book. My kit is a colored folder containing a press release, a bio, a glossy of me, and several reviews and newspaper articles. I’ve found that the ideal times for library programs are weeknights or, occasionally, Sundays, but you also have to be guided by the preferences of the library. Call the library a few days before your scheduled appearance to confirm. Ask for a podium if you need one. Inquire about any interest in the program to date so you can get an idea of the attendance. Some libraries have sign-up sheets, others don’t. Arrive about a half-hour early to set up. My only props were an aluminum collapsible easel and a poster blowup of the book cover. I also brought along a bottle of water, an extra pen for purchasers, and business cards, which I spread on a table. These help in obtaining other talk invitations and media interviews and also assist attendees with the spelling of your name. Arrange for a proper introduction. Check to be sure the introducer will not wing it and will read either from the bio you previously sent or from the one in your book or dust jacket. Then leave the room and perhaps browse through the library or read a newspaper. Return just before start time and sit unobtrusively in the back of the room. After the introduction, walk to the front from that location (a theatrical touch!).

If it’s convenient for you, stand, don’t sit, during your talk. I always requested a podium, even though I never spoke from notes. It provided something to drape my arm over from time to time. If the library anticipates a large turnout or the room is large, check on whether a microphone will be needed and available. Even if the room is small, stand–unless the turnout is also small (like four or five people). In that case, don’t run home. Often, the individuals in the audience are more embarrassed then you are, so you must put them at ease. Here’s how I handled it. Pulling up a chair, I would say something like: "Last week, I was in Hartford and 200 people showed up. The next night, Stratford, and only a handful was there. Last night, New Haven, and 80 or 90 came. And tonight? A handful. So one can never tell. But do you know what? It makes no difference to me. I give it the same energy either way. So if you’re comfortable, I am too. Let’s proceed, then, and who knows? Maybe others will eventually join us." Beware the person who might dominate the question-and-answer period. Don’t be rude, but don’t dwell on their repeated questions. Incidentally, those big talkers rarely buy books, I’ve found. Several recommendations for the book signing: Write a brief inscription over your signature. Keep all receipts unless an agreement has been made to donate a portion to the library (I give 20 percent). Take only cash or checks. Collect the money yourself and allow it to lie on the table, off to the side. Bring along some small bills to make change, and handle transactions from the table, not from your purse or wallet. Round off the amount so you don’t need to deal with coins. And to repeat, if a person arrives with your book in hand, that’s okay. Sign it with a smile. It still represents a sale, and now it also represents enduring interest. Send the library a thank-you note during the following week. State that you look forward to a similar presentation with another book someday down the road. This helps establish a network you can count on in the future. Finally, keep brief notes. I have a card for each library. Somewhere on it, I have a notation like "80/24." That means 80 people showed up and bought 24 books. I’ll contact that library again for my next book. If the notation reads "7/2," I might not.

Summary of Helpful Hints  

•  Do your own scheduling by phone.
• Weeknights and Sundays work best.
• Try not to include libraries that may be too small.
• Favor those that have Friends of the Library or its equivalent.
• In advance, send a press kit and a complimentary copy of your book.
• Call a few days before to confirm.
• Bring your own supply of books.
• Arrange for a proper introduction.
• Allow for questions and answers.
• Send a thank-you note the following week.

After his first exposure to forensic medicine while serving in the U.S. Navy, Jerry Labriola practiced medicine in his Connecticut hometown for more than 30 years. An assistant professor at the University of Connecticut Medical School, he was formerly chief of staff at Waterbury (CT) Hospital. He is the author of four mystery novels as well as the co-author of the nonfiction book Famous Crimes Revisited.

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10 Virtual Library Tours You Can Enjoy From Your Couch

There are few things in life better than a library, and fortunately there are a ton of epic libraries around the world for us all to enjoy! But what do you do if you can’t visit all the cool libraries around the world? Not to worry! There are plenty of marvelous virtual library tours to help you enjoy these libraries from the comfort of your own couch!

Of course, if you have the chance to visit these in person then that is absolutely amazing…but for now, enjoy a virtual glimpse into some of the most beautiful libraries on the planet!

1. The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library (also known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building) is a landmark in New York City. It’s an impressive marble structure when viewed from the outside, but the inside is equally as gorgeous!

Luckily, we have the opportunity to explore inside with this virtual tour . There are three areas you can choose to view, and you simply click and drag around to see whatever side of the room you want to. While nothing compares to being in a library in person, taking a library virtual tour like this one is an excellent way to explore from the comfort of your home!

2. The Klementinum Library

If you want to take a virtual library tour of one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, then you need to take a look at the Klementinum Library. This library is the National Library of the Czech Republic and the interior will blow you away!

You can visit many different rooms in the Klementinum on this virtual library tour , including the reading rooms and the three Baroque Library halls. The Baroque Libraries are by far the most incredible library spaces I’ve ever seen (I’ve actually been here in person!) so you will definitely want to take a look at them. And during your virtual tour, you will also want to make sure you look at the ceilings as they are beyond incredible!

After you take a look at this library, I’m sure you’ll agree that you could literally spend hours just exploring this one library online! It’s simply dazzling in all its beauty.

3. Library of Alexandria

The Library of Alexandria was one of the largest and most important libraries of the ancient world, but was unfortunately destroyed (first in a partial accidental burning by Julius Caesar and then later probably fully destroyed by Aurelian). While this is a horrible tragedy, there is actually a new Library of Alexandria in Egypt that officially opened in 2002.

This new library (also known as the Bibliotheca Alexandrina) is a commemoration of the original Library of Alexandria as well as an attempt to rekindle the brilliance of that original library. If you’re interested, you can explore the huge main reading room and see what it looks like today! This may be a modern library, but it is still quite impressive and aesthetically pleasing.

4. Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library

Harvard University’s Widener Library is home to over 3.5 million books and is at the center of the Harvard Library system. This impressive library was constructed as a memorial for Harry Elkins Widener—a Harvard graduate, book collector, and bibliophile—who died during the sinking of the Titanic.

The Widener Library is a beautiful place, and it is also one of the most interactive library tours online . You can drag the mouse up and down and around to see 360° views, as well as clicking on the white circles on the floor to “walk around” the rooms. There are two different floors and many, many rooms to explore (using the controls in the lower left corner)…so go ahead and start exploring now! It’s a fun and interactive way to experience this phenomenal library.

5. George Peabody Library

The George Peabody Library in Maryland is a stunning sight to see! This research library first opened in 1878 and is part of Johns Hopkins University, but it makes its collections open to the public so anyone can use this library.

Luckily for those of us who don’t live in Maryland, we can view the extraordinary interior online . As you click around, you really do start to get a sense just how imposing and awesome this library would be to see in real life!

6. Divinity School at the Bodleian Library

Oxford doesn’t allow much photography in their actual libraries, but you can explore the Divinity School online , which is a part of the Bodleian Library complex and was used as the infirmary in the Harry Potter films .

This gorgeous room was built between 1427-1483, and when you take a look at this building online you’ll especially want to notice the intricate and elaborate vaulted ceiling. And if after you explore you find yourself wanting to see inside the libraries where students still study today, then you can also check out this video tour to see inside the Radcliffe Camera and Duke Humfrey’s Library (my favorite study spots while I was at Oxford University!)

7. Admont Abbey Library

When you’re looking for amazing virtual library tours online, the Admont Abbey Library should definitely be on your list to see! This Austrian library is the largest monastic library in the world, at around 230 feet long and 46 feet wide. In all, it contains around 70,000 volumes in this one library room!

While all the other library tours on this list are free, Admont’s online library tour does require you to pay a minimal fee (under $2). But it’s worth it to virtually explore the awe-inspiring room with its magnificent bookshelves and stunning frescoes. It’s like a glimpse into heaven!

8. Library of Parliament

The Library of Parliament in Ottawa, Canada is every library-lover’s dream! Equally breathtaking from the outside and the inside, this is the type of library everyone needs to see at least once in their life (if only virtually!).

As you explore this library virtually , be sure to take in all the intricate details…from the perfectly geometric bookshelf organization, to the fancy lights hanging from the ceiling! One could only dream of reading here… *sigh*

9. The Morgan Library

Another amazing library in New York City that you can view online is the Morgan Library. This library was originally built in 1906 to house financier Pierpont Morgan’s private collection of illuminated, historical, and literary manuscripts and books, but it is now a research library with an ever-expanding collection.

As you take a look inside this library , you’ll find there’s a ton to see. From the huge fireplace, to the stained glass on the windows, to the elaborate ceiling (which you can learn about here )—it’s definitely a little like playing I spy in this remarkable room!

10. King’s College Library

King’s College Library at Cambridge University is another swoon-worthy library you’ll long to read in. This library has been around since the college’s founding in 1441, and today it preserves many significant rare books and manuscripts.

As you take a virtual tour of this library , you’ll have the chance to peek into several different rooms (using the “navigate the library” button on the top left). You can also click on the question marks that pop up throughout the rooms to learn some fun facts about this library. And be sure to peek out the window in the Munby Room—can you imagine reading with that view?! What a dream!

If you are looking for more libraries to view virtually, you can also find plenty of video tours of libraries on sites like YouTube. What is your favorite library? And is it available to view online?

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Your current subscription allows you to be actively logged in on up to three (3) devices simultaneously. click on continue below to log out of other sessions and log in on this device., virtually visit 8 world-class libraries.

For some stuck at home, with travel and everyday library visits alike on indefinite hiatus as society works to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections, virtual tourism has become a lifeline. It offers beauty, expanse, culture, and a momentary escape from anxiety. These eight of the world’s most beautiful—as well as a few of the most out-there—libraries are a click away for now and a bucket list destination for the future. 

For some stuck at home, with travel and everyday library visits alike on indefinite hiatus as society works to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections, virtual tourism has become a lifeline. It offers beauty, expanse, culture, and a momentary escape from anxiety. These eight of the world’s most beautiful—as well as a few of the most out-there—libraries are a click away for now and a bucket list destination for the future. Got another great library virtual tour to share? Add it in the comments!

Vatican Library (Vatican City, Rome, Italy)

Ornate architecture, stunning artwork, priceless manuscripts—the Vatican Library  has something for everyone. Like many research libraries, most of Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana’s collection is closed to the general public. But that won’t stop virtual tourists:. The Holy See occasionally grants journalists behind-the-scenes access of their historic holdings, including the 60 Minutes team in April 2011. BAV staff show Morley Safer (and viewers) select treasures, along with beautiful pans of impeccably decorated halls and endless rows of bookcases. If the twelve-minute CBS video leaves you wanting more, head on over to the DigiVatLib to explore digital versions of some of the Vatican’s 80,000 manuscripts.

Bodleian Libraries (Oxford, England)

While we’re in the neighborhood, let’s pop on over to the United Kingdom and pay a visit to the Oxford’s Bodleian . This short one-minute video shared by the university’s library alternates gorgeous aerials and interior shots with impressive facts like, “The Bodleian is over 400 years old and the libraries hold over 12 million books.” By the time the video gets around to name-dropping the Bodleian’s cameos in the “Harry Potter” franchise, you’ve seen enough of the extraordinary buildings and grounds to think, “Oh yeah, that checks out.” If you want a virtual experience that feels like you’re really there, this 360° tour from librarian Vanessa Corrick and The Telegraph has got you covered. Once you’ve absorbed those YouTube teasers, tumble down the rabbit hole that is Digital.Bodleian . The homepage is a work of art in itself, with new categories for exploration elegantly unfolding as you scroll down. The digital records are a little clunkier to navigate, but it’s worth exploring for gems like the original artwork that accompanied Lewis Carroll’s “The Hunting of the Snark.”

Vasconcelos Library (Mexico City, Mexico)

And now for something completely different! If sleek, modern architecture is more your style than hallowed halls, Mexico City’s Biblioteca Vasconcelos is the library for you. Prior to the unveiling of Vasconcelos in 2006, the spot it now occupies in the world’s fifth largest city was a bleak, barren eyesore. Today, the biblioteca and its botanical gardens provide an urban oasis of native flora and a naturally lit human hive of knowledge. Designed by Alberto Kalach , the angular and asymmetric arrangement of the stacks form a hypnotic feast for the eyes, almost like an M.C. Escher sketch brought to life. Take note of the Ballena (whale) that greets visitors in the central atrium—while it looks like a well-preserved fossil, it’s actually a sculpture by artist Gabriel Orozco.

Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Alexandria, Egypt)

The phrase “Library of Alexandria” conjures up communal memories of a devastating fire and the loss of irreplaceable written works…but that is, quite literally, ancient history. The denizens of Alexandria have since rebuilt, and the current Maktabet Eskendereya is a massive complex of book and artifact collections, museums, and—no joke—the only physical backup of the Internet Archive  on the planet. Clicking around a 360° view  of the library gives you a sense of its sheer size. Its clever combination of glass (to allow natural lighting) and a gently sloping granite wall (showcasing languages and alphabets from around the world) helped the building to blend in with the existing city skyline and earned it the Aga Khan Award  for Architecture. The video  posted by Aga Khan states that the Bibliotheca Alexandrina serves 18,000 people each day, and provides sufficient footage of visitors utilizing study spaces and engaged in dynamic programming to back up that claim. To peruse still images of the library’s elegant design, check out its presence on Archnet , an open access repository focused on Muslim architecture and design.

Liyuan Library (Jiaojiehe, China)

If urban libraries aren’t your jam, the Liyuan Library might be the bucolic book retreat you’re seeking. The prize-winning design by architect Li Xiaodong blends seamlessly into its rural setting with its ingenious exterior  of hundreds of locally sourced tree branches. Liyuan’s interior utilizes natural lighting and warm wooden fixtures for a delightfully escapist reading room. Unfortunately, government officials of neighboring Beijing shut down  Liyuan in 2017 after pirated works were discovered on its shelves, so YouTube videos may be your best bet for exploring this architectural marvel even after social distancing is over.

VAC Library (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Tour 2 (photos)

Want a library that not only mimics Mother Nature, but actively helps reduce its users’ carbon footprint? Take a look at the Thư viện VAC, or VAC LIBRARY, of Hanoi, Vietnam. The brainchild of the aptly named Farming Architects , the “VAC” is named after the Vietnamese words for garden (Vườn), pond (Ao), and cage (Chuồng). Its open-air, aquaponic design aims to teach its visitors, particularly children, about sustainability  and urban farming. With koi ponds , jungle gym  structure, and resident chickens , the VAC unites the best parts of reading rooms, public parks, and petting zoos to offer an urban library experience like no other.

Seattle Metaphysical Library (Ballard, Washington, U.S.)

Looking to expand your horizons and your mind? Pay a virtual visit to the Seattle Metaphysical Library , also known as the AS-YOU-LIKE-IT Library. In true DIY fashion, this collection of 16,000+ books and audiovisual materials is housed in a basement, accessible via an unmarked door. The property’s landlord is anti-signage , so you’ll have to either call or look for the library’s hand-painted sandwich board to determine if they’re open. It’s a remarkable institution in several regards, from its unique and hard-to-find holdings to its volunteer-powered existence since its 1961 founding. While the Seattle Metaphysical Library has temporarily closed its doors due to the current pandemic, you can get a taste of what it has to offer by watching this Unique Seattle profile .

Biblo Tøyen (Oslo, Norway)

While the barrier for Americans wanting to visit most of these institutions after the pandemic is over is geographic distance, Biblo Tøyen poses an additional age constraint: no grown-ups allowed! According to the Visit Oslo tourism website, this eclectic library is “for young people between the age of 10 and 15 only, filled with books and experiences.” Fortunately for those of us who’ve left our tween years behind, Visit Oslo shares a four-minute video tour of this warehouse of whimsy. Highlights include books and Maker spaces, yes, but also funhouse mirrors, a wooden moose, and every conceivable type of cozy and quirky seating, from gondola lift cabins to a dentist’s chair. You’ll quickly see why Time for Kids named Biblo Tøyen one of its “ World’s Coolest Places ” of 2019. Fans of Atlas Obscura and surreal shows like Dispatches from Elsewhere  will want to check this out.

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