There are many movies and television series featuring scenes inside libraries. Some of these libraries are more impressive than others. A few of these libraries have become iconic due to the association of the library as being integral to the film, such as the school library in The Breakfast Club. Other films feature the library scene as such a small moment in the movie that only a book lover would register there was a library shown at all.
It is a definite sign that someone you know is a bibliophile when they spend the bulk of a film drooling over a library scene. How could you not? Look at all those beautiful books, and if you have gorgeous books shouldn’t they have an equally beautiful home? Every book lover has an idea of what they believe is the ultimate library with the only unanimous feature being lots and lots of books. Each individual has a preference for a library that generally enhances their personal reading experience through design, material, and mood. These preferences run the range through clean, immaculate modern to old, cluttered dusty nooks.
I can respect the other types of libraries, after all, they do contain all those books. I admit to being a teensy lit bit over in love with the idea of a beautiful library. Some women clip, pin and save pictures for their dream house or dream wedding…for me, it has always been the dream library. I won’t say obsessed as I am realistic enough to know I will never and I mean never be able to afford the ultimate library, but a girl can dream…(sigh). Libraries in films only seem to add to my dream of someday having an ultimate library of my own.
While perhaps not the type of library everyone dreams of here is a list of some of my favorite libraries in films.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
The Lockwood Library
Dinosaur skeletons and exhibits, spiral staircase, wood paneling, and glass ceiling. A wonderful collaboration of museum and library all in one room. Install a bathroom in the corner, and have one deliver occasional meals, so I don’t starve, and I could happily live here for the rest of my life.
Inkheart
Aunt Elinor’s Library
Rare books on the shelves and display, statues, fireplace, and cozy places to sit and read. What bibliophile wouldn’t have loved to have an aunt to share their love of books? Besides it never hurts to have a nephew to help repair any rare finds. Could there be a more perfect place to hide a book then among other books?
Series of Unfortunate Events
A Series of Unfortunate Events features multiple enviable libraries. Hmm is there a requirement to have a library with a fireplace to be in a secret society?
The Baudelaire Mansion library
The Baudelaire mansion library a wonderful place full of curiosity, answers and warm memories. One of the siblings favorite places to be at the Baudelaire Mansion, pre-fire of course.
Justice Strauss’s home library
The siblings meet Justice Strauss, who kindly offered them the use of her private home library. At Justice Strauss’s home library the siblings look for answers to help their current situation. Despite the results of the situation the children remember the visits as a welcome respite.
Uncle Monty’s library
Then how can one forget, Uncle Monty’s library? Referred to as the Reptile Room for obvious reasons. The room is filled with wondrous creatures and information. An eclectic cluttered creation allowing each of the children to explore their interests. I’ll take one without snakes, please.
The Prufrock Preparatory School library
Lastly, there is the Prufrock Preparatory School library, perhaps the only happy spot in the entire school. Within perhaps one of the most gloomy locations possible, the siblings find three surprisingly wonderful things – a library, a librarian and friends. Each providing further influence in the unfortunate events to come.
Ahh, this series has so many wonderful libraries. Even when there isn’t a library and books featured in the episode there is a way in which books are featured, such as the penthouse dining room with the library book wallpaper.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Dorian Gray’s Library
A quite lovely little library before they abuse it. Alright, it is a tad bit untidy to start, but nothing an afternoon and a little elbow grease can’t fix. So, if all of you would please hand me the keys to the house and vacate quietly and efficiently, I will get to work.
Beauty and the Beast
The Beast’s Library
Nothing says love better than showing a girl a library, right? Works for me, and obliviously worked for fellow bibliophile Belle. I realize this isn’t why Belle fell for the Beast, but as she is an obvious book lover, it didn’t hurt either. The classic story of Beauty and the Beast shows a good example of acceptance for who someone is by those that truly care about you. So no more hiding those books your secretly reading with a flashlight under the covers late at night.
The Harry Potter films
The Hogwarts’s Library
Ummm…magical library. Need I say more? A library that contains every book or piece of information you want to know. As if that wasn’t enough the books that magically put themselves away. Once again, do I need to remind you magical? Sounds like the perfect place for a bibliophile to dive into some very interesting trouble.
Hellboy & Hellboy 2: A Golden Army
The B.P.R.D. Library
The B.P.R.D. library, also known as Professor Broom’s office features statues, a unique desk, and fireplace. The shelves are packed with literature for Abe to read in addition to probably the most extensive collection of supernatural information. For additional bonus points, find Abe Sapien a nice watery home and presto you have a great aquarium.
Clue
The Hill House Library
Admittedly a dark stormy night does equate to the perfect excuse to go read a book, with any luck others will take the hint and leave you alone to do so. For argument’s sake, we shall assume you live in an isolated mansion that should offer the illusion of privacy. Seating, cozy fireplace, nice rug, a little murder mystery who will disagree, besides the victim? Include the board game and a few close friends, sounds like an interesting Saturday night.
Meet Joe Black
William Parrish’s library
Having death as a house guest could prove a little bit awkward, but let’s look at the positive side. Leather chairs, lots of seating placed about the room including a dedicated seating area, nooks, and crannies. The picture of the perfect gentlemen’s club type library. Does anyone else smell cigar smoke?
Casper
Whipstaff Manor library
Whipstaff Manor in the lovely setting of Friendship, Maine. Presumably abandoned and haunted. Add to the mix a widower, who just happens to be your father that chases ghosts. Everything a teenage girl dreams of right? Stained glass, unique and creative bookcases, hidden passages, and a friendly ghost could make the library well worth considering.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
“X marks the spot” Italian library
The Italian Marciana Library from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is usually referred to as the “X marks the spot” library. Professor Indiana Jones is on the hunt for history and treasure once again. This time the stakes are raised as he must follow clues left by his father, who is missing as well. Stained glass, spiral staircase, stone pillars, secret message, and a hidden tomb.
These are just a few of my favorite libraries from films. There are many more, and I’m sure I will keep adding to the list. If you haven’t seen these libraries, errrrr…films, I highly recommend watching them when you get a chance. On that note, I think it is about time for a movie night binge watch…themed by libraries.