Libraries in Spain: Where can I study?

If you are an enthusiastic reader and a researcher, that is, a student! and you are eager to know more about the libraries in Spain, then in this article we will tell you about the most influential ones in the country and which ones will give you the best didactic services.

Libraries in Madrid

Madrid, the renowned capital of Spain, is a city full of history, art and culture.

If you yearn to study in Madrid, you have many options to choose the best library to meet your needs. Below, we highlight the best in the city:

• National Library of Spain

It is the largest and oldest library in the country, it has more than 300 years of history, as it was founded in 1712.

Here you can consult more than 30 million documents, among them there are books, magazines, engravings, manuscripts, maps, among other writings. Of course, it does not lack a large exhibition hall where you can appreciate magnificent works of great historical and therefore artistic value.

• Ivan de Vargas Municipal Public Library

This library is located in the historic center of Madrid, in the vicinity of the Plaza Mayor. It specializes in history and culture of the people of Madrid and is in its credit a not inconsiderable number of 100,000 volumes.

• Joaquín Leguina Regional Library of Madrid

This is located in the former hospice of San Fernando, which is a building dating from the eighteenth century, declared an asset of national interest and therefore cultural.

The purpose of this renowned library is to record and disseminate the bibliographic and documentary heritage that is related to the Community of Madrid.

Libraries in Barcelona

Barcelona is a lively city, very rich in culture; therefore it is not surprising that it has a great offer of public and private libraries, among the most outstanding are:

• National Library of Catalonia

It’s the largest and most important in Catalonia, as it has more than 3 million documents. It is located in the former hospital of Santa Creo, which is a historic building dating from the fifteenth century.

It is equipped with reading, consultation and research rooms; it also has a room for exhibitions and cultural activities.

• Jaume Fuster Library

It’s very modern and functional and is located in Lesseps square, it also has 5 floors with different spaces such as the children’s and youth room. It also has a multimedia room, general room, newspaper library and local collection. To be more modern, it has free wifi and e-book loans.

• Arús Public Library

This famous library specializes in social and political topics and was founded in the year 1895, by the renowned journalist Rossend Arús.

Libraries in Valencia

Valencia is a renowned Mediterranean city and is very dynamic, as it has a rich cultural tradition and its libraries reflect its high diversity and history, here we will tell you about the most relevant ones:

• Valencian Library Nicolau Primitiu

It is the official library of the Valencian Community; it was created in 1985 with the purpose of preserving the bibliographic heritage of the Valencians. It is located in the monastery of San Miguel de los Reyes, which is a Renaissance monument dating from the 16th century.

This library provides rooms for reading and research, it also provides rooms for exhibitions and guided tours.

• Fernando Lázaro Carreter State Public Library

This generalist library is located in a modern and highly sustainable building in the Campanar neighborhood.

It has four floors with different sections, such as the children’s and youth room; it also has a multimedia room, a general room and its local collection, as well as a newspaper library. Of course, it offers basic services such as wifi and book lending.

Libraries in Seville

Seville is the recognized capital of Andalusia and therefore one of the most beautiful cities and of tourist interest in Spain. It is endowed with multiple artistic heritages of great value for its impressive beauty, such as the Cathedral, the Alcazar or the Giralda.

Below we will name the most important libraries in Seville:

• The General Archive of the Indies

This library houses important documents of a historical nature dealing with the Spanish colonization of the Americas and the Philippines.

It is located in the Lonja building and is close to the Cathedral, therefore it is a world heritage site since 1987, the dream place for history and research lovers and of course for university students.

• Municipal Network of Libraries

It is another library has 14 centers spread throughout the city; these have services such as home loans, also provide internet access and develop cultural activities or online training.

• Fundación Caja sol, Sala literaria (Bécquer)

The library is designed for those students and researchers who prefer a quieter and cozier environment. This library is a space reserved for consultation and allows you to study a specialized collection of Spanish and also Spanish-American literature from the 19th to the 21st century.

Libraries in Salamanca

Salamanca stands out for being a University City of excellence. Its University is one of the oldest in the world and has also been the birthplace of great thinkers such as the renowned Fray Luis de León and the famous Miguel de Unamuno.

In its historic center you can see monuments of great relevance, so, in the midst of its culture and tradition usually derives in being a city full of renowned libraries; Below we will tell you about the most important:

• State Public Library

Also known as the provincial library, it is located among the House of Shells, which is a Renaissance building decorated with more than 300 seashells symbolizing the power of the Maldonado-Zuniga lineage.

This library offers excellent inter-library loan services and also provides internet access and e-books.

• Municipal Libraries of Salamanca

These are under the auspices of the Salamanca City Council and are made up of 6 municipal libraries, intelligently distributed throughout the different neighborhoods of the city.

The main library, known as the head library, is the Ballester Tower, which was inaugurated in 1999.