Blog Post

World's Largest Rare Book and Manuscript Library: world record in New Haven, Connecticut

April 8, 2023

New Haven, Connecticut, United States--The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library in New Haven, Connecticut is Yale University Library's principal repository of literary archives, early manuscripts, and rare books; it holds more than one million books, many millions of manuscript pages, and tens of thousands of papyri, photographs, maps, posters, paintings, and art objects, as well as extensive audiovisual material and born-digital content, thus setting the world record for being the World's Largest Rare Book and Manuscript Library, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library is the largest building dedicated to rare books in the world. Built in 1962, it's a real gem on the Yale campus. The Gutenberg Bible is housed here, and is the oldest book in their collection. Dating back to 1454, it doesn't get much rarer than this!" the Only In Your State reports.

"The most famous book in the collection is the Voynich Manuscript. Researchers have been trying to figure out what it says for over a hundred years. One of the biggest mysteries ever, scholars come from all over the world hoping they can break the code.

"This massive ode to literature is a sight to see. With its marbled interior and sunken sculpture garden there's no place in the world quite like it. This six-story building on the campus of Yale is dedicated to housing rare books and manuscripts. The oldest book in the library dates back to 1454! Impressive both inside and out, this is a place of history that you're going to want to visit."

"The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library (/ˈbaɪnɪki/) is the rare book library and literary archive of the Yale University Library in New Haven, Connecticut. It is one of the largest buildings in the world dedicated to rare books and manuscripts. Established by a gift of the Beinecke family and given its own financial endowment, the library is financially independent from the university and is co-governed by the University Library and Yale Corporation.

"Situated on Yale University's Hewitt Quadrangle, the building was designed by Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and completed in 1963. From 2015 to 2016 the library building was closed for 18 months for major renovations, which included replacing the building's HVAC system and expanding teaching and exhibition capabilities.

"The Beinecke is one of the larger buildings in America devoted entirely to rare books and manuscripts. The library has room in the central tower for 180,000 volumes and room for over 1 million volumes in the underground book stacks. The library's collection, which is housed both in the library's main building and at Yale University's Library Shelving Facility in Hamden, Connecticut, totals roughly 1 million volumes and several million manuscripts." (Wikipedia).

"The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library inspires engagement with the past, in the present, for the future. One of the world's largest libraries devoted entirely to rare books and manuscripts, it is Yale University Library's principal repository of literary archives, early manuscripts, and rare books." the official website says.

"The building’s design includes a six-story glass-enclosed tower of book stacks, holding approximately 180,000 volumes, and large “windows” made of translucent Vermont marble panels, an inch and a quarter thick, in a Vierendeel truss of steel clad in granite. The marble panels protect the collections from damaging direct sunlight while absorbing and diffusing the exterior light in warm hues on the interior.

"The Beinecke Library holds more than one million books, many millions of manuscript pages, and tens of thousands of papyri, photographs, maps, posters, paintings, and art objects, as well as extensive audiovisual material and born-digital content. Collections range from ancient fragments on papyrus through works by living authors. Major collections include Early Books and Manuscripts (pre-1500), Early Modern (1500 to 1800), Modern (post-1800), American Literature, Western Americana, German Literature, the Osborn Collection of English literary and historical manuscripts, the James Weldon Johnson Memorial Collection of African American Arts and Letters, and the Betsy Beinecke Shirley Collection of American Children’s Literature."

"Inside a stark modern marble building, Yale University’s rare books are housed in an architecturally stunning, elevated, glassed-in, 6-story tower of book stacks. The stacks hold the university’s extensive collection of medieval manuscripts, rare books, maps, and historic tracts and pamphlets as well as modern-day items such as artists’ books and rare limited editions. Built in 1962, the building is the largest in the world dedicated to the preservation and collection of rare books and manuscripts.

"The library operates as a closed-stack system, with visitors given access to works only in a closely controlled subterranean reading room. The library is open to Yale students and faculty, as well as visiting researchers," the Atlas Obscura reports.

"The Beinecke Library on Yale University Campus is west of the intersection of Wall and College Streets near Woolsey Hall and Woodbridge Hall. The Library also offers free postcards (two designs, one featuring the exterior of the library and another featuring the glass tower of book stacks) for visitors to take as souvenirs. A handwritten sign does request for guests to please be considerate and just take one per visitor."

Testimonials from TripAdvisor

"The building itself is a work of art, housing one of the largest collections of rare books. The collection occupies the e center of the structure behind walls of glass. The are varied exhibition in the public outer area, including a Guttenberg Bible. You'll be wowed by the translucent panels surrounding the building."

"This place is amazing. Worth visiting if your in to history and books. My son and I took our time going around and reading the book cases. The light was low to protect all the aging books. If your a Yale student and needing to research your allowed to see them in person and touch them."

"If you have any interest in history or architecture don’t miss the Beinecke! The area open to the public has ancient maps that are very thought-provoking. Gutenberg Bibles are on display along with two copies of Audubon folio books with detailed bird renderings. The building itself, opened in 1963, is significant for its unusual construction. If you come on a sunny day you can see light shining through the Vermont marble panels, which provide a warm, dramatic light while protecting the valuable books and maps."

"This was a highlight of our time in new haven. Absolutely worth a trek across campus to find. The building is truly a marvel. The translucent marble is a special thing to see. My favorite exhibit was the Audubon illustrations. Even the Gutenberg Bible was much more colorful than I had expected."