Libraries are essential repositories of knowledge, offering access to vast collections of books, manuscripts, and digital resources. In the United States, several libraries stand out due to the sheer volume of their collections. Here’s a comprehensive look at the largest 15 library collections in the U.S., ranked by the number of volumes they hold.

Library of Congress

The Library of Congress in Washington D.C., USA, was established in 1800, with its main building designed by Paul J. Pelz and opened in 1897. The library’s neoclassical architecture, including its grand dome and elaborate interiors, makes it a national landmark. It is the largest library in the world, holding millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps, and manuscripts.

Boston Public Library

Boston, Massachusetts, 1848. The Boston Public Library, with over 23 million volumes, is one of the most significant public libraries in the United States. The main library, housed in a historic Renaissance Revival building, offers an extensive research collection, a wealth of digitized resources, and hosts numerous cultural and educational events.

Harvard University Library

Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1638. Harvard University’s library system is the oldest in the United States and holds over 19 million volumes. The library’s collections span a wide array of subjects and include rare manuscripts, extensive archives, and special collections. Harvard’s libraries are integral to the university’s research and academic activities.

New York Public Library

New York City, New York, 1895. The New York Public Library is one of the largest public libraries in the world, with a collection exceeding 16 million volumes. The main branch, located in the iconic Beaux-Arts building on Fifth Avenue, is renowned for its vast research collections, special archives, and vibrant public programs. Completed in 1911, designed by Carrère and Hastings, the library’s Beaux-Arts facade and grand reading room are iconic features.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library

Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, 1867. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library holds over 14 million volumes and is a major research library. The library’s collections support a wide range of academic disciplines and include significant special collections, digital resources, and archival materials.

Library at UC Berkeley

Berkeley, California, 1868. The University of California, Berkeley Library is a premier research library with over 13 million volumes. Located in a series of architecturally significant buildings, the library offers extensive collections in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, as well as rare books and manuscripts.

Columbia University Libraries

New York City, New York, 1754. Columbia University’s library system, holding over 13 million volumes, is one of the top academic research libraries in the world. The collections include rare books, manuscripts, archives, and extensive digital resources, supporting a broad range of academic programs and research initiatives.

Yale University Library

New Haven, Connecticut, 1701. Yale University’s library system encompasses over 12 million volumes and is known for its extensive special collections, rare books, and manuscripts. The main library, Sterling Memorial Library, is an architectural masterpiece with a wealth of resources supporting Yale’s academic and research endeavors.

University of Michigan Library

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1837. The University of Michigan Library holds more than 12 million volumes and is a key resource for the university’s academic community. The library’s collections include significant holdings in science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences, as well as rare and special collections.

University of Texas at Austin Libraries

Austin, Texas, 1883. The University of Texas at Austin Libraries house over 10 million volumes. The collections support a wide range of academic disciplines and include extensive special collections, digital resources, and archives. The Perry-Castañeda Library, the largest of the UT libraries, is a central hub for research and learning.

Indiana University Bloomington Libraries

Bloomington, Indiana, 1820. Indiana University Bloomington Libraries hold over 9 million volumes. The collections support a diverse range of academic programs and include significant special collections, rare books, and archives. The Herman B Wells Library is the central library and a hub for research and learning.

University of Washington Libraries

Seattle, Washington, 1861. The University of Washington Libraries contain over 9 million volumes. The library system supports the university’s extensive research and academic programs, offering comprehensive collections, special collections, and digital resources. The Suzzallo Library, with its stunning Gothic architecture, is the flagship library.

Stanford University Libraries

Stanford, California, 1885. Stanford University Libraries hold over 8 million volumes. The collections are particularly strong in the sciences, technology, and engineering, as well as humanities and social sciences. The libraries include significant special collections, archives, and digital resources.

University of California, Los Angeles Library

Los Angeles, California, 1919. The University of California, Los Angeles Library contains over 8 million volumes. The collections support a wide range of academic disciplines and include extensive special collections, rare books, and archives. The Powell Library and the Charles E. Young Research Library are key components of the library system.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1789. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries house over 8 million volumes. The collections support a diverse array of academic programs and include significant special collections, rare books, and digital resources. The Wilson Library, with its distinctive neoclassical architecture, is the main research library.

These libraries are not just custodians of books but vibrant centers of learning, research, and culture. They provide invaluable resources to students, scholars, and the general public, preserving knowledge and making it accessible for future generations.