Hidden Libraries: The World’s Most Unusual Book Depositories

Discover 50 of the world’s most magnificent hidden libraries – each with a unique and uplifting story to tell – featuring a foreword by librarian, bestselling author, and literary critic Nancy Pearl.

Book swap your latest read in a cool 1950s style fridge in New Zealand or hike through the ethereal woodlands of Eas Mor in Scotland where a hidden library in a small log cabin awaits. Each entry shares the library’s mission and impact on the local community and offers fascinating stories from its resident caretaker.

Inside Hidden Libraries:



50 enchanting, obscure and astounding libraries from around the world
Fascinating insider knowledge and unique stories from each library’s resident caretaker
Captivating photos accompany every entry and the exact location of each hidden library is revealed
Featured libraries include: North America – Idaho: Little Free Library in a Cottonwood Tree; California: The Prison Library Project. South America – Argentina: The Weapon of Mass Instruction; Colombia: The Biblioburro. Africa – Egypt: St Catherine’s Monastery; Mali: The Timbuktu Manuscripts. Asia & the Middle East – China: The Lonely Library; Philippines: Reading Club 2000. Europe – England: Phone Booth Library; Norway: The Future Library. Oceania & Beyond – Antarctica: The Little Free Library at the South Pole; Outer Space: The International Space Station Library
Written by Diana Helmuth, an award winning author who writes about subjects including travel, nature, and philosophical trends



From the rare to the romantic, this extraordinary guide to our planet’s hidden libraries makes the ultimate gift for literature lovers, adventurers, and dreamers alike. Nothing brings people together quite like a good book.

Format: Hardback
Pages: 208
Imprint: Lonely Planet
Publication date: 12/10/2024
Series: Lonely Planet