The author makes the case that libraries deserve a spot on any traveller's itinerary, even for those who never actually intend to read while away. Beyond their obvious literary value, libraries are praised as calm, quiet retreats from busy sightseeing schedules, reliable places to find a clean toilet, and, most importantly, showcases of some of the world's most striking architecture and interior design.

The piece highlights several standout examples worth visiting: Dublin's Trinity College Library, famed for its Long Room and the Book of Kells; Manchester's John Rylands Library, whose Victorian red-brick exterior conceals a cathedral-like interior; London's British Library near St Pancras, notable for its scale and holdings of some 170 million items; Mexico City's futuristic Biblioteca Vasconcelos, which opened 20 years ago and reportedly influenced a scene in the film Interstellar; and Admont Abbey Library near the Alps, celebrated for its baroque, Vatican-rivalling painted ceilings.

– Libraries offer peace, clean facilities and stunning design, making them ideal holiday stops.
– Highlighted sites include Trinity College Dublin, John Rylands (Manchester) and the British Library.
– Also featured: Mexico City's Biblioteca Vasconcelos and Austria's Admont Abbey Library.