Lonely Planet Hidden Libraries

Explore 50 of the most unique libraries located in unknown spaces across the world in this beautiful book for travel-loving bibliophiles. From China's lonely library on a secluded beach to a roving military tank filled with 900 novels in Buenos Aires, this inspirational guide celebrates the great lengths humans will go to to assure access to books.

Discover a library on four legs with the Camel Mobile Library Service in Kenya; 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 in this exquisite collection of must-visit athenaeums describes the library's purpose and its impact on the local community. Nothing brings people together quite like a good book.

Inside Hidden Libraries:



50 enchanting, obscure and astounding libraries from around the world - some stationary, some mobile, some floating in mid-air
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 will also be revealed
Contents include: The Weapon of Mass Instruction Library, aka the War Tank (Argentina); The Black Sea Beach Library (Bulgaria); The Francis Trigge Chained Library (England); The Beer Crate Library (Germany); Hammock Library for the Deaf (Malawi); Horse-and-Donkey Library (Ethiopia); Stony Island Arts Bank (USA); The Library with No Rules - aka 'Reading Club 2000' (Philippines); Didier Muller’s Libraire Urbaine (New Zealand)
Foreword by Nancy Pearl
Written by Diana Helmuth, author of The Witching Year: A Memoir of Earnest Fumbling Through Modern Witchcraft; How to Suffer Outside: A Beginner's Guide to Hiking and Backpacking; and winner of a 2022 National Outdoor Book Award. Diana is also the co-author of the “50 Places” travel series with Chris Santella: “50 Places to Practice Yoga Before You Die” and “50 Places to Travel with Your Dog Before You Die”

From the rare to the romantic, this extraordinary guide to our planet's hidden libraries exemplifies the innovative ways people around the world have created spaces for books. This is the ultimate gift for literature lovers, adventurers, and dreamers alike, who want nothing more than to explore the earth in search of an unforgettable story - whether that's on foot or from the comfort of a cosy armchair.


About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures Company, is the world's number one travel guidebook brand. Providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973, Lonely Planet reaches hundreds of millions of travellers each year online and in print and helps them unlock amazing experiences. Visit us at lonelyplanet.com and join our community of followers on Facebook (facebook.com/lonelyplanet), Twitter (@lonelyplanet), Instagram (instagram.com/lonelyplanet), and TikTok (@lonelyplanet).