These Are The Most Gorgeous Libraries In Every Single U.S. State

The Ben May Public Library was built in 1928, and designed by the architect George B. Rogers, who's also responsible for some of the state's grandest buildings. During the Great Depression, the library only stayed open thanks to the efforts of its first librarian, Emma Harris — who had to bring in her own supplies of coal and oil to heat the building.

This light-filled, gorgeous glass library was named one of the best libraries in the U.S. in the 2016 Library Journal. Its design is uber-modern, and uses all local materials.

The Desert Foothills Library in Arizona is set in such a jaw-droppingly stunning location that it's almost too hard to concentrate on the books... But once you get involved in the wealth of activities taking place at the library, from book swaps to yoga, you'll soon realize it's even better inside the library than out.

The visually stunning Hillary Rodham Clinton Library was created specifically for the children of the community in Little Rock, Arkansas. It provides a literal bridge between the neighborhoods divided by Interstate 40, and is filled with multiple learning areas for children, a performance space, greenhouse, and vegetable garden.

Stepping into this spectacular library is like stepping back in time — and in such a good way. Whether you're reading, studying, or trying to write your masterpiece — when you're sitting in the Hearst Castle Gothic Study, anything feels possible.

Donations from the community help fund the incredible Boulder Public Library, which hosts children's events and summer reading programs, as well as an all-ages makerspace that encourages collaborative creative work.

Westport Library is one of the 1% of public libraries to earn a 5-star rating from Library Journal, and the honor is well-deserved. It was one of the first libraries in the U.S. to develop a MakerSpace, which is a collaborative workspace for creative projects — and hosts an incredible range of events, from children's book readings to workshops in robotics and 3D printing.

This library has been renovated several times since it was first founded in the 18th century, but its striking facade looks almost the same as it did three centuries ago.

The Gulf Gate Library was named the most beautiful library in Florida by Business Insider — but the inside is even more spectacular. The library is a fantastic community space, with meeting and conference rooms, a large teen center, two gorgeous reading gardens, a technology lab, and a dedicated children's storytime room.

The Decatur Library is open seven days a week, so you can time your visit whenever suits you best. As well as books, the library lends out CDs and DVDs, and even hosts movie screenings. There's also a seed library, so budding gardeners can "check out" seeds to start their own vegetable gardens!

As you walk up to this library in the bright sunshine, you'll instantly be reminded why libraries are some of the happiest places on earth.

The Coeur D'Alene Public Library has beautiful views straight over the lake, providing a stunning and calming backdrop to your reading. The library also won an Idaho Library of the Year award in 2012.

The Harold Washington Library Center is filled with so much more than just books. Relax in the quiet indoor Winter Garden; research your family history in the library's genealogy database; practice the piano in the only free music practice rooms in the city. The author events are also pretty outstanding: previous speakers include Neil Gaiman and Michael Chabon.

The Indianapolis Central Library is pretty breathtaking to look at, with its seamless blend of old and new architecture. As well as book-related events, the library also hosts family-friendly jazz concerts.

The 19th-century Iowa State Law Library is the stuff book-lovers dream of. You'll feel like Belle winding your away around the delicate spiral staircases, and gazing at shelves that seem to go on forever.

The eye-catching Lawrence Public Library in Kansas won an AIA/ALA Library Building Award in 2016 for its stand-out architecture, as well as a Landmark Libraries Award from Library Journal — so it's got some serious credentials. One of the best features is a community reading room that wraps the whole way around the library.

And now for another award-winning library: the Southwest Regional Library branch of the Louisville Free Public Library won an Honor Award as part of the AIA's Kentucky Design Awards in 2016. Once you look at its striking wooden design, it's easy to see why.

Now here's a library that's not just good for bookworms, but for the environment too. The East Baton Rouge Parish Library has a sloped roof that catches rainwater and feeds it to surrounding plants. It's also got a stunning recycled paper waterfall that spans three floors. Yep, this is a library unlike any you've seen before.

In a city full of Victorian architecture, the modern Portland Public Library certainly stands out. Its glass facade earned it an AIA Maine Honor Award and an AIA New England Design Award.

When you stand in the lobby of the George Peabody Library, you can see into all five floors of books. The ceiling is 61 foot high, and complete with a massive skylight, which earned the library the description of "a cathedral of books" when it was first completed back in 1878.

The Boston Public Library is the third largest in the U.S. and holds a whopping 21 million items, so it's a pretty iconic place to visit. It's also absolutely stunning, and features a courtyard based on the 16th-century Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome. Could there be anywhere better to sit and read?

The Kalamazoo Public Library is beloved by its community; that much is clear from the citizens' long history of voting to continue funding the library. The library encourages community reading with programs such as the Reading Together program — and every one of their 90 staff is passionate about connecting readers with their perfect book.

The Minneapolis Central Library has no interior load-bearing walls, making it stunningly light and open. Wherever you're sitting in the library, you get a great view of the other floors and staircases you can explore.

If you've always fantasized about reading in the woods, the Mississippi Library Commission Headquarters is the place for you. The woods are literally right outside the door — and the building itself is made of natural materials like wood and stone, making you feel like you're slap bang in the middle of nature.

The iconic walls of the Kansas City Public Library show off 25-foot versions of some of the library's best-loved books, from Charlotte's Web to Catch-22.

Children will adore the children's area at the Billings Public Library, which features a tower that juts out to the sky. Its all-glass facade makes it a wonderfully light place to read.

The Nebraska State Library is the oldest library in the state, so it makes for a fascinating stop on your literary road trip.

The students at the liberal arts college Sierra Nevada College better know how lucky they are that they get to visit this picturesque cabin in the woods to study.

The AIA have awarded the Phillips Exeter Academy Library time and time again for its totally unique architecture and modern, circular staircases.

The Firestone Library at Princeton University has more books per student enrolled than any library at any other university in the U.S. — pretty incredible, huh?

This statue outside the Artesia Public Library will inspire you to go and check out a book at once, and once you're inside the stunning library, you'll never want to leave.

Narrowing down the best library in New York is a near-impossible task — but the stunningly beautiful Morgan Library is something extra-special. This scholarly research library houses some of the most extensive collections of ancient texts and manuscripts — but before you get stuck into those, you'll have to tear your eyes away from that gorgeous ceiling.

Light shines in to the super-modern James B. Hunt Library at all times of day, making the jazzy furniture look even more quirky and colorful.

It's hard not to be impressed by the stately North Dakota State Library, with its stone columns and heavy bronze doors — and its book collection is even better.

The massive William Oxley Thompson Library scooped an AIA/ALA Library Building Award in 2011 after a three-year renovation which saw the addition of glass walls and a light, modern interior.

The warm, inviting exterior of the Bizzell Memorial Library will make you instantly jealous of every Oklahoma University student who gets to visit this library on a daily basis.

Gazing out the windows of the Ashland Public Library, you can stare straight over to the surrounding mountains. Now that's quite the backdrop for some quiet reading.

I mean, just look at this library. Even from the outside, it's absolutely beautiful, and inside, things only get even more exciting — with events ranging from screen printing workshops to ceramic making.

The Providence Athenaeum is the fourth-oldest library in the U.S., and was founded in 1753.

The Thomas Cooper library at the University of South Caroline overlooks a large pond, and its reflection at night time looks positively dreamy.

The rustic Hot Springs Public Library is a real community center in South Dakota — and sitting out on the sunny patio with a book in your hand, you'll definitely be glad you paid it a visit.

The Nashville Bellevue Library won a 2015 AIA Tennessee Merit Award for its flexible design, that caters equally well to large groups or intimate gatherings. As well as its book collection, the library also houses a large collection of public art — as well as being home to some scenic walking paths.

As well as an impressive collection of 50,000 books, the Mission Branch library has a playground and exercise equipment — so you can drag the whole family along even if you're the only bookworm in the bunch.

Get 360 degree views of the city from the rooftop garden of this incredible library, that seems almost entirely made from glass.

The St Johnsbury Athenaeum looks the library you always fantasized about having in your house — and it also houses one of the U.S.'s oldest art galleries for browsing when you need a break from the books.

The Slover Public Library scored an AIA/ALA Library Building Award in 2015 for its modern and unusual architecture. The open air balconies are just gorgeous for reading in the sun.

It's hard to walk past the Seattle Central Library without your jaw hitting the floor at its unique design — and it's even more innovative inside. One of the most exciting features is the "book spiral," which allows readers to browse a winding ramp of shelves spanning four floors, without ever heading for the stairs.

It's hard to visit the West Virginia University Library without being jealous of the students casually reading on the sloping grass outside. If only we could all spend our days studying by this lovely library.

A national competition was held in 1878 to choose the design for the Milwaukee Public Library. This stunning one was selected from 74 entries.

This Wyoming library has such an alluring country aesthetic, which won it a Western Mountain Region Distinguished Building Award in 2009. There are two branches, and each has its own charms — but they're both equally stunning.