These Libraries Are Gorgeous Enough To Turn Anyone Into A Bookworm

National Library Of Brazil

biblioo

With nine million volumes, The Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil (National Library of Brazil) is the largest library in Latin America. It’s also the seventh-largest in the world. This library came about as a result of a major catastrophe — a 1755 earthquake in Lisbon, Portugal. In the aftermath, the contents of the Royal Library of Portugal were transferred to Brazil, although they didn’t receive a formal home of their own until later. In 1810, Brazil’s Prince Regent John issued a decree establishing the National Library.

The library’s director from 1900 to 1924 established the first librarianship course in South America! It was only the third class of its type in the word.