Fortitude, in front of the New York Public Library. Photo by Thom Gabrukiewicz

Libraries aren’t like they used to be. It’s pretty rare to hear a “SHUSH” from a stern librarian sitting at a desk, stamping due dates on a pocket inside the cover of her tomes. Today’s libraries are historical buildings, modern architectural masterpieces, technology centers, children’s play areas and community gathering places.

USA Today recently featured their top 10 great libraries to visit. We chose some of those, and a few others we think deserve to make the list.

Seattle Central Library, Seattle, Wash.
This glass building, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and former Seattleite Joshua Ramus, opened in 2004. They host author signings, have over 400 public computers, a coffee shop, and art all over the building. Their spiral walkway brings patrons through amazing collection of over 1,000,000 books, music and movies. www.spl.org This building is well worth the visit while in Washington, D.C. It was established by an act of Congress in 1800. The library was housed inside the new Capitol building, and housed the books needed by Congress. Sadly, in 1814, invading British troops set fire to the Capitol, and the library burned. President Thomas Jefferson offered his own personal library to replace the lost books. The building is architecturally beautiful and tours are offered, showing visitors the art, architecture and the historic Main Reading Room.  http://myloc.gov/exhibitspaces/jeffbuilding/pages/default.aspx

This building is well worth the visit while in Washington, D.C. It was established by an act of Congress in 1800. The library was housed inside the new Capitol building, and housed the books needed by Congress. Sadly, in 1814, invading British troops set fire to the Capitol, and the library burned. President Thomas Jefferson offered his own personal library to replace the lost books. The building is architecturally beautiful and tours are offered, showing visitors the art, architecture and the historic Main Reading Room.  http://myloc.gov/exhibitspaces/jeffbuilding/pages/default.aspx

Photo by DAVID ILIFF

Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Image courtesy of the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, City of Deadwood Archives

Deadwood Public Library, Deadwood, S.D.

Deadwood had a small library during the famed gold rush time with books donated by local women. Locals wanted more, and they were led to secure finding from the Carnegie Foundation to build the library at its current location. They opened in 1905 and have served the gold mining and gambling community and visitors since then. This library is a classic Carnegie building, filled with a large book and local history collection. dwdlib.sdln.net

Photo by Thom Gabrukiewicz

New York Public Library, New York, N.Y.

No library tour would be complete without a visit to the New York Public Library’s Beaux Arts main branch on Fifth Avenue and 42^nd Street. The building is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year and features an exciting exhibit of author-related items, including Charles Dickens cat paw (yes, his beloved pet cat’s actual paw) letter opener and George Washington’s final draft of his farewell address. Of course the iconic lions, Patience and Fortitude, guard the entrances. www.nypl.org

Bodleian Library, Oxford, EnglandThis Medieval library is still in use today and hosted a multitude of famous authors, including J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Oscar Wilde. Kings, Nobel Prize winners and British Prime Ministers used the Bodleian Library in their education at Oxford University. Tours for individuals or groups are available, and visitors can see the exhibition room, filled with treasures from the library’s past. www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Photo by Roman Kirillov

Patience and Fortitude Photos by Thom Gabrukiewicz