Discover the Unexpected: Top 8 Fascinating Fun Facts About Libraries You Never Knew!

1. Great Library of Alexandria: Scrollaholic's Dream

If the Great Library of Alexandria were a shopping mall, it would have been the prime hotspot for scrollaholics and ancient knowledge seekers: Boasting a collection of 40,000 to 400,000 papyrus scrolls acquired through cutthroat shopping sprees, the Great Library remained an epicenter of erudition for centuries, withstanding multiple declines and invasions, and inspiring relentless scholars like Didymus Chalcenterus to produce influential works even after its so-called destruction.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Cincinnati's Drive-Thru Libraries: Fast Food for Bookworms

If you've ever had a sudden craving for literary nourishment but been left scratching your head on how to curb your bookish appetite without the inconvenience of leaving your trusty vehicle, fear not: Cincinnati's Public Library comes to the rescue with contactless services such as curbside pickups, holds lockers, and drive-thru options at select branches, ensuring you can satiate your reading desires without breaking a sweat, while the 24/7 holds lockers at two locations provide instant gratification for insatiable page-turning appetites.
Source => chpl.org

Did you know the Library of Congress consumes 15,000 items daily and has a staggering collection of over 173 million items? Discover more amazing facts!

=> Fun Facts about The-Library-Of-Congress

3. No More Late Fines: Bookworm's Guilt-Free Paradise

In this fine abolition movement that's sweeping library nation, bookworms everywhere are dusting off their overdue classics and re-emerging from their guilt-ridden shelves, all while museums stand strong, holding onto their precious, fine-prone passes: Over 118 public libraries in Connecticut, including the Cheshire Public Library, have permanently removed fines for most items, following a nationwide trend backed by the American Library Association since January 2019, while museum passes still notably rack up a $10 fine per day.
Source => cheshireherald.com

4. Al-Qarawiyyin Library: OG of Antique Reads

Next time you're hunting for a book older than your great-great-great-great-great-grandpappy, consider taking a trip to Morocco, where the Al-Qarawiyyin Library swaggers like an OG in the world of antique reads: Established in 859 C.E., this scholarly sanctuary boasts over 4,000 rare books, including a 9th-century Quran and a 10th-century account of Prophet Muhammad's life, all nestled under a green roof, with white-columned passageways and fountains for that authentic throwback ambience.
Source => discovery.com

5. Bibliomancy: Medieval Netflix and (Book) Chill

When ancient Europeans weren't busy Netflix-binging on their medieval streaming services, they were flipping through the pages of Virgil's Aeneid like a mystical Magic 8-Ball: Apparently, bibliomancy, or divination through randomly selecting passages from a book, was quite popular in the Middle Ages, and Virgil's Aeneid was a go-to choice for seeking wisdom and clarity in matters of life. Just don't forget the library card!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Libraries Go Hi-Tech: Welcome to the Bookish Matrix

Next time you visit a library, don't be shocked if the librarian hands you a VR headset and you find yourself in the Matrix, solving mysteries with Sherlock Holmes: Libraries have catapulted into the digital age with services like 3D printing, virtual reality experiences, and coding workshops, as reported by the American Library Association in 2016.
Source => carnegie.org

7. George Peabody Library: Hogwarts Meets Gatsby

If Hogwarts and The Great Gatsby had a love child, it might look a little like this bibliophile's paradise: The George Peabody Library in Baltimore, Maryland, boasts a cathedral-esque aesthetic, complete with six tiers of cast-iron balconies, fancy marble columns, and black and white tiled floors – a design inspired by Paris's own Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève. This public-access haven contains over 300,000 volumes, with a focus on 18th and 19th century literature, religion, art, and history.
Source => reddit.com

8. Westbury Book Box: From Phone Booth to Book Nook

When life gave them a telephone booth, they made a bookish paradise: Residents of Westbury-sub-Mendip, UK, transformed an old phone box into a mini-library known as Westbury book box, complete with four shelves of community-donated books, open 24/7 and inspiring similar projects across the UK.
Source => westburysubmendip-pc.gov.uk