Libraries are important places where people find books, documents and knowledge. They help students, researchers and book lovers learn new things. Some libraries are small, while others are huge with millions of books. The world’s largest library has an enormous collection of books, maps, newspapers and historical records. It is visited by scholars and researchers from around the world and plays a key role in preserving knowledge.
Which Country has the World’s Largest Library?
The United States has the world’s largest library, the Library of Congress, located in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1800, it has millions of books, documents and research materials in over 450 languages. It serves the U.S. Congress and is a national treasure for preserving knowledge. It is also the largest law library in the world.
The Library of Congress, the Biggest Library
The Library of Congress is the biggest library in the world in terms of collection size. It was founded in the year 1800 and is also the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. It serves the U.S. Congress by providing research materials and is considered the national library of the country.
How Big is the Library of Congress?
The Library of Congress has a huge collection. It contains:
- More than 173 million items
- 41 million books and printed materials
- 4.1 million audio recordings
- 15 million photographs
- 5.6 million maps
- 75 million manuscripts
To store all these items, the library has bookshelves that stretch about 838 miles! That is like travelling from New York to Chicago.
Why is the Library of Congress So Big?
There was a few reasons why the Library of Congress is the largest in the world:
- Copyright Law: The U.S. law requires publishers to send copies of their books to the library, ensuring a steady flow of new materials.
- Diverse Collection: It collects books in over 470 languages, making it a truly international library.
- Government Support: It is a federal library, meaning it receives a lot of funding to keep growing.
Library of Congress, A Treasure of Knowledge
The Library of Congress is more than just a collection of books. It is a symbol of learning and knowledge. It helps researchers, students and historians find valuable information. It also protects rare books, manuscripts and documents that tell the story of human history.
Libraries are important for education and research. They ensure that knowledge is preserved for nature generations. The Library of Congress stands as the biggest and most important library in the world.
Other Largest Libraries in the World
While the Library of Congress is the biggest, other libraries around the world are also very large and important:
- The British Library: Located in London, UK, it has millions of books and rare documents.
- The Russian State Library: Found in Russia, it is one of the oldest and largest libraries.
- The Shanghai Library: A major library in China, known for its vast collection.
- The New York Public Library: A famous library in the United States, open to the public.
- Library and Archives Canada: The biggest library in Canada.
- France National Library: Located in Paris, France, it holds historical books and documents.