Libraries in United States

The best libraries in the United States: 18 on the world’s top 100

18 of the world’s 100 best libraries are in the United States, according to The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey. The highest ranked is Seattle Central Library in Seattle at N° 10, followed by Boston Public Library in Boston at N° 13 and Austin Central Library in Austin at N° 15.

Source: The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, Worth a Journey, https://worthajourney.com/libraries/

The United States has more entries than any other country on The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026.

The United States has 18 of the 24 entries from North America; the highest ranked in North America is Seattle Central Library in Seattle, United States, at N° 10 in the world.

N° 1 in the world is State Hall of the Austrian National Library in Vienna, Austria.

Seattle Central Library in Seattle is N° 10 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 1 in the United States.

Boston Public Library in Boston is N° 13 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 2 in the United States.

Austin Central Library in Austin is N° 15 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 3 in the United States.

Library of Congress in Washington, DC is N° 19 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 4 in the United States.

Salt Lake City Public Library in Salt Lake City is N° 21 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 5 in the United States.

Cerritos Library in Cerritos is N° 23 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 6 in the United States.

George Peabody Library in Baltimore is N° 34 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 7 in the United States.

Nashville Public Library in Nashville is N° 36 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 8 in the United States.

Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago is N° 42 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 9 in the United States.

New York Public Library in New York is N° 47 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 10 in the United States.

Suzzallo and Allen Libraries in Seattle is N° 66 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 11 in the United States.

Kansas City Central Library in Kansas City is N° 70 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 12 in the United States.

Indianapolis Central Library in Indianapolis is N° 72 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 13 in the United States.

Los Angeles Central Library in Los Angeles is N° 74 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 14 in the United States.

Multnomah County Central Library in Portland is N° 80 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 15 in the United States.

Toledo Main Library in Toledo is N° 90 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 16 in the United States.

Providence Athenaeum in Providence is N° 93 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 17 in the United States.

Cleveland Public Library in Cleveland is N° 99 of The World’s 100 Best Libraries 2026, published by Worth a Journey, and N° 18 in the United States.