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Editors Note: A version of this article was originally published by myself (Dylan) on Curious Expeditions. Due to some long overdue and much needed maintainence on Curious Expeditions the original post is no longer available. We decided to redo it here, in multiple parts, updated with yet even more amazing libraries. Since the last time it was mostly European libraries we are starting this Librophiliac Love Letter series with a US Edition. Enjoy!

George Lucas Library at Skywalker Ranch
Nicasio, California, USA, Image Source

PART I: BEAUTIFUL LIBRARIES OF THE UNITED STATES

Everyone has some kind of place that makes them feel transported to a magical realm. For some people it's castles with their noble history and crumbling towers. For others it's abandoned factories, ivy choked, a sense of foreboding around every corner. For us at Atlas Obscura, there has always been something about libraries. Row after row, shelf after shelf, there is nothing more magical than a beautiful old library.

We begin our survey of these repositories of knowledge in the United States. From Los Angeles, California to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, this impressive selection of libraries include some of the oldest on the continent. We hope you enjoy this trip through the United States beautiful libraries as much as we do. 
 

North Reading Room, University of California Berkeley (Terrific reader suggestion)
Berkeley, California, USA 
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William Andrews Clark Library, University of California (Terrific reader suggestion)
Los Angeles, California, Image Source

Harper Library at University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, USA Image Source


Law Library of the Iowa State Legislature
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Day Missions Library at Yale Divinity School
New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Beinecke Rare Book and manuscript Library, Yale University
New Haven Connecticut, USA
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Sterling Memorial Library at Yale University  (The rest of Sterling Library is incredible, as well, but we particularly enjoy that wonderful library specialty: the card catalog) New Haven, Connecticut, USA  Image Source

Walker Library of the History of Human Imagination
Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
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George Peabody Library
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Boston Anthenaeum
Boston, MA, USA
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Boston Copley Public Library
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Widener Library at Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Thomas Crane Library
Quincy, Massachusetts, USA
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Mt. Holyoke College reading room
South Hadley, Massachusetts, USA
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Woburn Public Library
Woburn, Massachusetts, USA
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University of Michigan (Old) Law Library
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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St. Louis Public Library (Steedman Architectural Library Reading Room)
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Chancellor Green Library at Princeton University,
Princeton, New Jersey, USA
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Library of the Brooklyn Historical Society
Brooklyn, New York, USA
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A.D. White Library at Cornell University
Ithica, New York, USA
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Cornell Law School Library
Ithica, New York, USA
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Pierpont Morgan Library
New York, New York, USA
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New York Public Library
New York, New York, USA
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Frederick Ferris Thompson Memorial Library at Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, New York, USA
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Duns Scotus Library, Lourdes College
Sylvania, Ohio, USA
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James V. Brown Library
Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA
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Amelia S. Givin Library
Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania, USA Image Source



Fisher Fine Arts Library at University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pensylvania, USA
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Linderman Library at Lehigh University
Bethleham, Pennsylvania
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Armstrong Browning Library at Baylor University
Waco, Texas, USA
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St. Johnsbury Anthenaeum
St. Johnsbury, Vermont, USA
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Suzzallo Library at University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Library of the United States Congress
Washington, D.C., USA
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Riggs Library at Georgetown University
Washington, D.C., USA
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Folger Shakespeare Library
Washington, D.C., USA
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We hope you enjoyed this! We know we can't get enough. If any particularly beautiful library has been overlooked let us know! The next edition will be out next month and cover libraries across Europe.