I’ve spent so much time researching and purchasing my e-books and books online I’d forgotten how being in a beautiful old library affected me; how it could transport me to a magical realm. I remember how the subtle intermingling fragrances of old wood, aging paper, paint and leather would send my senses reeling. And the vision of all those tomes would take my breathe away. Of course, I was a child back then who spent many a Saturday morning sitting between the stacks slouched over a book about some mystical faraway place.

Today information is so ubiquitous, incorporeal, and cheap that it is quite a shock to think there was a time when it was rare, weighty and expensive — totally justifying the construction of elaborate enchanted palaces to hold it all.

Curious Expeditions has compiled quite the picture collection of amazing old libraries in their post called Librophiliac Love Letter: A Compendium of Beautiful Libraries.

You must surf over and take a look.  These libraries are incredible.