The Yale University Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library is one of the largest buildings in the world completely devoted to rare books and manuscripts. Designed by Gordon Bunshaft and completed in 1963, it is a modern monument of granite, marble, bronze, and glass. Some significant holdings of the library include early Greek and Roman papyri, medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, Near Eastern manuscripts, and historical archives of English and Italian families.

Great libraries make for great people. So the next time you are browsing the stacks at your local library, think of these giants of history and culture and be proud to be a part of such an important heritage.