Which Country Has the World's Largest Library?

Libraries have been viewed as knowledge and cultural repositories for centuries, acting as essential institutions for research and education. Among the millions of libraries worldwide, the title of the "world's largest library" is generally bestowed upon the Library of Congress, which is situated in Washington, D.C., United States.

The Library of Congress: A Global Giant

The Library of Congress (LoC) is popularly known as the world's largest library, largely due to its catalogue size. In November 2021, it contained a staggering 173,731,463 items distributed over roughly 838 miles of bookcases. Its gargantuan collection comprises:

• 41 million books and other printed items
• 4.1 million audio recordings
• 15 million photographs
• 5.6 million maps
• 75 million manuscripts.

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is also the nation's oldest federal cultural institution. It is a research library for Congress and a depository for works covered by copyright received from publishers around the nation. Remarkably, it adds about 12,000 items to its collection each day through submissions under copyright, guaranteeing its ever-expanding size.

Also Read | Why Does NASA Release Half a Million Gallons of Water During Rocket Launches?

How Does It Compare Internationally?

Although the Library of Congress is the largest in collection size, several other prominent runners-up are:

• The British Library, in London and Boston Spa, United Kingdom, with collection size ranging from approximately 170–200 million items. It is famous for its historical prominence and vast archives.
• The National Library of China, in Beijing, is Asia's largest library covering more than 37 million items, including scarce Chinese books.
• Other major libraries are Russia's State Library (47.2 million items), Canada's Library and Archives (54 million items), and France's Bibliothèque Nationale (40 million items).

Why Is the U.S. Home to the Largest Library?

The record size of the Library of Congress is due to several reasons:

• Copyright Law: American copyright law mandates publishers to deposit copies of their works at the library, maintaining an ongoing supply of new works.
• Diverse Collection: The library acquires books in more than 470 languages, mirroring its international character.
• National Importance: As a federal library, it is heavily funded and supported to preserve and increase its collection.

The United States boasts the world's largest library—the Library of Congress—positioning it as the cornerstone of preserving global knowledge. Although other nations have remarkable libraries with huge collections, none come close to the LoC in terms of its size and scope. This historic institution not only functions as a repository for researchers but also as a reflection of humanity's determination to keep knowledge safe for future generations.