The biggest libraries in the world, ranked according to the size of their collections. The list includes national libraries whose physical catalogue is made up of 15 million of objects* or more. For each library are shown the budget (in millions of euros) and the physical size of the buildings (in total square meters). 

The bar chart at the bottom shows the total number of public libraries in 80 countries around the world, colour coded by geographical areas.

*books, magazines, newspapers, music sheets and other printed materials, audio recordings, photographic material and maps.