Great halls of literature and learning: The most beautiful public libraries in the world, as chosen by Country Life

Is there anywhere more beautiful than a library? The smell of musty books, rows upon rows of stories, lovesick heroes or heroines, great works of fiction, non-fiction, art, culture, philosophy and science — all beg you to choose them; to let theirs be the pages you reveal, pore over and learn from.

We can’t think of anywhere better. That is why, this year, Country Life has commissioned the architect George Saumarez Smith to design our Chelsea Flower Show stand as a shrine to books. It will be named ‘Garden Lover’s Library’. A safe haven in which readers seeking a quiet place can escape the hustle and bustle for a moment among vintage books.

Although all libraries are beautiful in themselves, filled with books as they are, that only tells half the story. As important as those books may be, libraries can also be great works of architecture; vast monuments to our collective creativity, art enshrined in art, accessible to all. So, without further ado, here is our list of the world’s most beautiful public libraries to tide you over until you can come and visit Country Life’s very own at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

Gladstone’s Library, Wales

Politicians don't leave many great things behind after their tenure these days, but perhaps William Gladstone was an exception. The UK's only Prime Ministerial library was built following a bequest from Gladstone and the Grade-I listed building houses thousands of books, including many items from the four-time Prime Minister’s own personal collection. The current building was designed by John Douglas in 1902, and it is a Jacobethan delight with sundrenched wooden interiors full of old dusty volumes. It’s a bookworm’s paradise, and one where the fun doesn’t stop at 5pm. At this library, you can stay the night. Gladstone’s is the UK’s only residential library and has 26 reasonably priced bedrooms. It has me daydreaming about a bookish getaway. LB

Duchess Anna Amalia Library, Germany

The Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek, as it is called in German, is located in Weimar. Built at the behest of Duchess Anna Amalia of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach to preserve and present the collections of Duke Wilhelm Ernst, one of its famed patrons is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who worked there from 1797 to 1832. The building was converted into a library in 1761 and became a designated UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998. The oval hall is divided by open-backed bookcases and walls of clean, white woodwork. Garnished with gold, there is an elegance and femininity to the Rococo decor. Small portraits and white busts line the two-storey room, directing the eyes to the end of the hall where a shock of teal blue and a portrait of the Grand Duke Carl August, the son of the Duchess, hangs with prominence. The library has among its collection an important Shakespearean collection of approximately 10,000 volumes, many of which belonged to Christoph Martin Wieland who was hired by the Duchess to tutor her son. The Duchess’s 13,000-volume music collection is available to view, as well as a 16th-century Bible connected to Martin Luther. AEW

Espace Gabrielle Chanel, China

You may not immediately hear Chanel and think: ‘library’, but the world-recognised fashion brand has recently opened one in the Power Station of Art in Shanghai. It’s the first of Mainland China’s libraries run by the government that celebrates contemporary art. Designed by the Japanese architect Kazunari Sakamoto, the library also contains the Archive of Chinese Contemporary Art. The space itself is light, modern and large — at 1,700sq m. It used to be the Nanshi Power Plant; built in 1897, the plant provided energy, including for some of China’s first electrical lights. A wonderful repurposing of a historic building by a historic brand. LB

The British Library, England

It was impossible not to include a library close to home on this list. This beloved treasure of our capital contains everything from Magna Carta to handwritten lyrics by The Beatles. Not to brag, but it’s also one of the largest libraries in the world and, as a legal deposit library, receives a copy of all books produced in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Created in 1973, the library moved to its current Grade-I listed building in St Pancras in 1997. This was designed by the architect Colin St John Wilson and his wife MJ Long and was the largest public building constructed in the United Kingdom in the 20th century. There is always a fight for a table in its various cafes — such remains its popularity among tourists and locals alike. LB

Abbey Library of St Gall, Switzerland

Founded by St Othmar, the first real abbot of the convent of St Gall, the present library in Switzerland was designed by the architect Peter Thumb. The original abbey library was built in the 7th century, but the present library room was constructed between 1758 and 1767. A glory of honey brown shelves and leather bound spines is hooded by a ceiling of elaborate stucco, which twists to divide and embellish biblical frescoes. Playful putti sit atop the shelves and glass cases, offering a visual clue as to the contents below: the case of astronomy-related materials bears a cherub observing the books through a telescope. The Greek inscription above the entrance door, ΨΥΧΗΣ ΙΑΤΡΕΙΟΝ, translates as ‘healing place for the soul’.

The library collection is the oldest in Switzerland, holding around 160,000 volumes, with most available for public use. Notable works include the St. Gall Cantatorium, believed to be the earliest known complete music manuscript in the world; a 4th-century Vergilius Sangallensis; an 8th-century bill of sale for the abbey property; a Gospel of John from about 800AD; biographies of saints from as early as the 8th century; and works providing insight into the daily lives of the abbey monks from the 9th century through the Middle Ages. AEW

New York Public Library, USA

This Manhattan building by Stephen A. Schwarzman is a haven for many New Yorkers. The second largest public library in the USA, and one of the largest in the world, was developed in the 19th century. It’s worth visiting for the The Rose Reading Room alone, which displays a myriad of crystal chandeliers. The lion statues that stand guard at its entrance are made from Tennessee marble and named Patience and Fortitude — something that seems to be in short supply as of late. Long may they protect this magnificent collection of books. LB

Library of St Mark, Italy

Named after St Mark, the patron saint of Venice, this regal library holds one of the world’s most significant collections of classical texts. Founded in 1468, it is the work of the Italian Renaissance sculptor and architect Jacopo Sansovino. ‘It is perhaps the richest and most ornate building that there has been since ancient times up until now,’ said Andrea Palladio — an argument that still stands today.

Library of the Academy of Fine Arts, Austria

Vienna has many great things: Schnitzel, strudel, that song by Billy Joel — and the library at the Academy of Fine Arts. The dark wood decor and classic gold reading lamps with green lampshades transport visitors to a time before iPhones, where books were king. Its library houses around 110,000 volumes and an ‘etching cabinet’, containing around 150,000 drawings and prints. LB

The Mitchell Library, Scotland

I couldn’t finish my list without a Scottish entry. The Mitchell Library in Glasgow is well worthy of inclusion. Tobacco producer Stephen Mitchell is to thank for the grand building and philanthropist and Glaswegian William Euing is to thank for much of the original collection of early books. You can’t miss the distinctive copper dome upon which stands Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. Always a good omen when there is studying to be done. LB

The Country Life ‘Garden Lover’s Library’, designed by George Saumarez Smith of Adam Architecture, is at stand PW215 at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, May 18–23.

To celebrate, you can buy a year-long subscription for £150 and save more than 40% on the cover price. International offers also available. Until May 31.

The first 200 subscribers at Chelsea will receive a bottle of The Grange Classic Sparkling NV, worth £39. Rated 94 points by Decanter magazine, this premium sparkling wine from Hampshire was described in Country Life as ‘the connoisseur’s choice’. Offer available with subscriptions for UK delivery only.