31 Inspiring Books About Libraries & Librarians

Uncover the best books about libraries and librarians set around the world.

Both Tori and I have their MLIS degrees and have worked in the public library system. We couldn’t think of a better way to honor the profession than by sharing some of the best books for librarians and book lovers. Unlike those shushing librarian memes, these librarians are courageous and inspiring, and we promise you’ll leave with a better appreciation and understanding of all that they do.

So, let’s smash stuffy stereotypes as well as transport you back in time, across the globe, and through times of war. Read books that will intuitively address mental health, love, and the power of disseminating and preserving information. After all, libraries are centers for knowledge and community, making the world a better and more educated place.

And, don’t forget to thank your local librarians for their public service; make sure to keep libraries funded. Oh, and for f’s sake, stop banning books. Let’s get started! P.S. You might also enjoy these books about books.

31 Best Books About Libraries & Librarians

By Tori Curran & Christine

The Library Book by Susan Orlean

Orlean pens one of the most gripping and meaningful stories about libraries in The Library Book.

Fascinated by the infamous 1986 fire in a Los Angeles public library, Orlean digs into the origin of the blaze and the unsolved case.

Probably arson and a likely but never charged suspect give off true crime vibes.

However, Orlean manages to dial it back and introduce readers to a more philosophical perspective: setting a library ablaze is an attack on humanity.

With this sentiment, she weaves in her own history and affection for public libraries, making her non-fiction book an ode to the preservation of information.

Read The Library Book: Amazon | Goodreads

The Library at Night by Alberto Manguel

Certainly one of the lesser known books about libraries, The Library at Night explores the thought process behind Manguel’s personal library.

His celebration of books is both inspirational and didactic.

He pays homage to famous libraries, like Alexandria, and to the everyday librarians and booksellers who work to preserve access to information.

In fact, Manguel’s book is one of the best books for librarians because he truly understands freedom of information and the threat of literary oppression.

He also touches upon the concept of cataloging books – and how it’s almost an impossible feat since books are mentally categorized differently by each individual.

The Library at Night is a true celebration of books and how we home them.

Read The Library at Night: Amazon | Goodreads

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams is a debut novel that celebrates the power of books to transport and connect.

Aleisha is a teenager working at her local library for the summer when she discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper: the reading list.

She begins to read through the list of books, escaping the boredom of the checkout desk and the painful life she lives at home.

When widower Mukesh stops in, desperate to connect with his bookish granddaughter, Aliesha shares the list.

Book by book, the two lonely readers forge a bond through their grief and their search for happiness among the pages.

If you are looking for heartwarming books about the library and reading, The Reading List will not disappoint.

Read The Reading List: Amazon | Goodreads

The Librarian of Saint-Malo by Mario Escobar

Travel to France in The Librarian of Saint-Malo and meet Jocelyn, a librarian, who brings comfort to the people of Saint-Malo through her books.

When Saint Malo falls and the Nazis begin destroying libraries and books, Jocelyn risks her life to save the books.

Told in a series of secret letters to a famous author, Jocelyn details the brutal occupation and the lengths to which she is willing to go to save both the books and her community.

The Librarian of Saint-Malo is one of the many WWII books about libraries and courageous librarians on our list and is based on true events.

Read The Librarian of Saint-Malo by Mario Escobar: Amazon | Goodreads

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Imagine a world where the Great Library at Alexandra remains.

Caine creates a realm where not only does the Great Library survive, but it is a ruthless and powerful entity controlling the dissemination of knowledge.

Ownership of books is outlawed.

Jess, whose knowledge has come mostly from illegal books, is almost finished with his training to join the library’s service.

Planning to spy on behalf of his family, his loyalties are tested more than once. In this unique dystopian saga, will knowledge or human life come out on top?

For YA historical books about the library, find a mix of sorcery and unique library technology paired with commentary about the power of information.

Read Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine: Amazon | Goodreads

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

Doerr celebrates books, libraries, and storytelling across three time periods.

In 15th century Constantinople, Anna learns to read while Omeir travels with the Ottoman army as they plan a siege against the walled city.

In present-day Idaho, Zeno helps a group of students put on a play while Seymour is caught up in a group of eco-terrorists.

And in the near future, Konstance is aboard an interstellar starship. Their stories are bound by a Greek folio, Cloud Cuckoo Land, and by the need to search for hope among the pages.

One of our favorite books for librarians, Doerr dedicates Cloud Cuckoo Land to cataloguers for their commitment to preserving stories.

Read Cloud Cuckoo Land: Amazon | Goodreads

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

The Book of Lost Names is also one of the best books about librarians and the importance of preserving information to remember and teach.

Eva, a librarian in Florida, stumbles across a magazine article discussing the ransacking of libraries during WWII and the quest to reunite people with their lost books.

The photo in the article – showcasing the Book of Lost Names – stops Eva in her tracks. This text, which is now housed in Berlin, contains a code that no one can decipher – except Eva.

As a graduate student, Eva was forced to flee Paris for the Free Zone.

There, she began forging identity documents for children along with a handsome man, Rémy. Both wanted to preserve the true identities of children too young to remember.

Will Eva have the courage to face a heartbreaking past and help reunite those lost in the war?

We personally think she’s one of the most kick-butt women in historical fiction.

Read The Book of Lost Names: Amazon | Goodreads

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

One of the most extraordinary and well-researched books about librarians, The Personal Librarian fictionalizes the life and story of Belle da Costa Greene.

Greene was the personal librarian for J.P. Morgan and the first director of the Morgan Library.

She became one of the most influential women of the twentieth century and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world – while hiding her identity as an African American.

Follow the remarkable story of a woman who became known for her intellect during one of the most racist times in history.

Read The Personal Librarian: Amazon | Goodreads

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson

Shy librarian June comes out of her shell when her beloved local library is threatened with closure.

With quirky patrons, adoring community members, and an old friend, June steps out from behind the desk to fight for the place that means so much to her and to others.

In standing up for her beloved library, she starts taking chances on herself as well.

The Last Chance Library is one of our top choices for more lighthearted and romantic books about libraries.

Read The Last Chance Library: Amazon | Goodreads

Overdue by Amanda Oliver

Be prepared to change the way you view public libraries with Oliver’s Overdue.

Oliver reflects on her years at underserved branch libraries where systemic issues, including opioid addiction, segregation, racism, and homelessness, are often magnified.

Weaving in additional research and interviews, she demonstrates how national problems are often brought to a head in public libraries.

Overdue is one of the most honest books about libraries and librarians, asking readers to consider if the profession – and the library as an institution – can continue to wear the many hats forced upon it.

You’ll come to appreciate your local librarian so much more.

Read Overdue: Amazon | Goodreads

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

Hoping to escape her suffocating life in England, Alice marries an American and heads to rural Kentucky. But, living alongside her father-in-law has her feeling equally oppressed.

Alice signs up to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s traveling library and meets Margery along with three other single women.

Together they become the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky, delivering knowledge to people across the state while forming an unbreakable friendship.

For epic books about librarians, Moyes’s novel is a love letter to women unbounded and the ability of books to bring us together.

Read The Giver of Stars: Amazon | Goodreads

The Case of the Missing Books by Ian Sansom

Briton Israel Armstrong is eager to accept his new position as librarian in Northern Ireland.

But when he arrives, he finds the library shut down and his post relinquished to the steward of an old bookmobile.

To make matters worse, the fifteen-thousand books he’s supposed to preside over are gone.

Who on earth would steal that many books, he wonders, sparking an investigation spearheaded by an overweight yet artfully witty librarian turned unlikely detective.

For those looking to travel to Ireland via armchair, The Case of the Missing Books introduces readers to a quirky-fun Jewish and vegetarian librarian.

And, if you find yourself annoyed with the politics and utter BS behind many librarian systems, this will be one of the most spot-on stories about libraries to gain empathy.

Read The Case of the Missing Books: Amazon | Goodreads

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

Cussy Mary is a packhorse librarian on a mission to deliver books to the poor people of her Appalachian community.

She’s also one of just a few people left with blue-tinted skin, and in rural Appalachia, the blue-skinned people of Kentucky are thought to harbor a curse.

Cussy will face an uphill and lonely battle as she tries to bring books to her townsfolk.

Rich in history and cultural significance, this is one of those stories about libraries that remind us just how necessary books and communities really are.

Read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: Amazon | Goodreads

The World’s Strongest Librarian by Josh Hanagarne

Josh Hanagarne began exhibiting symptoms of Tourette’s Syndrome at six years old. By his twenties, he was six foot seven and his ticks had escalated beyond measure.

Despite trying, every remedy and therapy failed to help him – until he meets an autistic strongman who shows him how to channel his ticks into submission through strength.

In one of the most heartwarming books about librarians, Josh learns to create a life full of purpose that is largely centered on the place where he always took refuge: books.

Travel to places like Salt Lake City, Utah with our 50 States reading list.

Read The World’s Strongest Librarian: Amazon | Goodreads

The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

Martha is a librarian who, despite her willingness to help others, often finds it easier to connect with books than with people.

When a book of fairy tales arrives at her doorstep, Martha discovers that the dedication is written to her by her grandmother who mysteriously passed years earlier.

Within the pages of the book, Martha uncovers clues that her beloved grandmother may still be alive.

As she unearths her grandmother’s past, a family secret will change her life forever.

Read The Library of Lost and Found: Amazon | Goodreads

The Library of Babel by Jorge Luis Borges

Translated into English by Andrew Hurley

In one of the most famous books about libraries, Borges concocts a universe of hexagonal rooms with only basic necessities, a door, and four walls of books.

The books contain every possible order of 25 basic characters – 22 letters, a period, a comma, and a space.

Most of the books would be gibberish, but by nature, they would also contain every book that was or would be written – biographies, predictions of the future, and translations.

Librarians are left in despair – with most of the books being useless – and some revert to destroying books, while others seek illustrated books or a library index.

Borges’s simple short story will leave you pondering themes of existentialism, reality, and human reasoning.

Read The Library of Babel: Amazon | Goodreads

The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections by Eva Jurczyk

When Leisl, who is perfectly content working quietly with rare books at a university library, is unexpectedly left to run the department, she discovers that the library’s most valuable manuscript has gone missing.

She is repeatedly told to keep quiet, but when a librarian goes missing too, she begins to look deeper into her colleagues.

What she discovers will rock her world and everything she felt to be true about her precious work.

This is one of the most clever books about librarians perfect for book lovers.

Read The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections: Amazon | Goodreads

I Work at a Public Library by Gina Sheridan

From missing wetsuits and obscure patron requests to head-scratching reference questions, Sheridan quite literally catalogs (alphabetically and by Dewey Decimal) anything and everything she’s encountered at the public library.

Readers will laugh out loud in celebration of the truly unforgettable patrons that make public service everything those on the outside never realized it was.

This is one of those books for librarians that feels like an inside joke; when working with the public, we all have similar stories.

Read I Work at a Public Library: Amazon | Goodreads

Dewey the Library Cat by Vicki Myron

With Bret Witter

If you enjoy stories like Marley and Me but are looking for books for cat lovers, discover Dewey, the lovable library cat who was discovered in a library drop box in Spencer, Iowa.

Since then, Dewey mostly lives in the library, charming both patrons and Myron, head librarian and single mother.

Myron weaves in stories and challenges of her own life, balancing them with heartwarming tales of how Dewey affected her and the library for the better.

Dewey the Library Cat is by far one of the most endearing books about the library for pet lovers. There is both an adult and middle-grade edition.

A sequel, Dewey’s Nine Lives, was published later – featuring more stories about Dewey and other cats.

Read Dewey the Library Cat: Amazon | Goodreads

Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varnes

When June is caught reading a book that her parents deem inappropriate, they spearhead a movement to suspend the librarian, cancel events, and gut the library until every book has approval from the administration.

However, June spies a Little Free Library, and she realizes that she doesn’t have to give up her precious banned books.

Soon, she creates her own secret library in an abandoned school locker.

As her library and movement gain traction, she risks being exposed. But, she could also save her beloved librarian and the freedom to read.

While Property of the Rebel Librarian is one of the stories about libraries geared toward middle graders, this one will resonate with anyone wholeheartedly against book banning and censorship.

Read Property of the Rebel Librarian: Amazon | Goodreads

More books about librarians and libraries from Christine

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

Where do we even start with The Cartographers?

This is one of the best books about libraries for map lovers and readers of both dark academia and friendship stories.

Head to the New York Public Library where colleagues find Nell’s dad murdered.

Estranged since he fired her over a box of junk, no one understands why someone would kill him over an incorrect and old highway map.

Can Nell solve the case before she’s next? And, what is the history behind Nell’s parents and their brainy friends?

We ate up The Cartographers’ fantastical elements mixed with budding school friendships and young love.

Read The Cartographers: Amazon | Goodreads

What You Wish For by Katherine Center

CW: School shooting

Full disclosure: We demolished What You Wish For in under two days – even though we thought it would origginally be a DNF.

And, this is one of those sad books that still has an uplighting message.

When their school principal dies, Sam – the school librarian – is absolutely gutted, and the replacement is not the same nonchalant man/crush she remembers from long ago.

The school specifically hires Duncan for a change of pace, and he transforms Sam’s fun Montessori-esque school into a strict, high-security prison. What the f?!

Will Sam and Duncan be able to form any sort of amicable relationship as well as find balance and happiness in their lives?

For books about librarians, What You Wish For is filled with lessons about overcoming gut-wrenching trauma and grief.

Enjoy a slow-moving romance plumped with character growth, even if the storytelling gets just slightly excessive and repetitive.

Plus, travel to Galveston, Texas, and learn how to live a life full of joy. Light those candles and dance in the living room.

Read What You Wish For: Amazon | Goodreads

The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe

Translated by Lilit Žekulin Thwaites

For more courageous books about librarians – teenage ones – grab The Librarian of Auschwitz. This is also a strong WW2 selection for middle and high school students.

Follow a fictionalized account of the real-life story of Dita Kraus, a prisoner at Auschwitz taken from the Terezín ghetto in Prague.

The Nazis imprison 14-year-old Dita, and she soon gains the title of “Librarian.” Dita must carefully and secretly guard eight special books.

Encounter a powerful story about bravery and strength, and witness how adults tried so hard to create a sense of normalcy for their children during such a horrific time in history.

Read The Librarian of Auschwitz: Amazon | Goodreads

The Library of Legends by Janie Chang

Based on a true story, Lian and a group of university students, professors, and staff flee as Japanese bombs descend upon Nanking, China.

In a grueling journey, these refugees must walk over 1,000 miles to save themselves as well as a series of books known as the Library of Legends – a 500-year-old collection of Chinese myths and folklore.

Along the way, the students face murder, arrests, new friendships, and even love. However, in order to save her own life, Lian must break apart from the group.

Will all make it safely to their destination, and what will they learn along the way?

For historical fiction books about librarians – non-traditional librarians – enjoy folklore, history, and romance paired with captivating and rich storytelling.

Read The Library of Legends: Amazon | Goodreads

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

While The Time Traveler’s Wife is much more of a time travel book, the plot most certainly features a librarian.

Clare and Henry have loved each other their entire lives. However, Henry – the librarian – has Chrono-Displacement Disorder, which misplaces him across time.

Their marriage is quite an adventure as we watch them try to live normal lives. Unfortunately, tragedy will strike.

Have the tissue box ready for this contemporary classic and romance made into an equally great movie.

Read The Time Traveler’s Wife: Amazon | Goodreads

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles

We love books that transport us to Paris; add in one of the most inspiring fictional books about libraries and courageous librarians, and you have the perfect combination.

It doesn’t hurt that we visited The American Library In Paris too. It’s a gorgeous institution.

Based on a true story, meet the librarians who joined the French Resistance from the reference desk and between the stacks.

While jeopardizing their own lives, these librarians continue to protect their beloved books and care for their patrons.

They especially aid their Jewish residents as well as deliver titles and news to the soldiers on the front lines.

Gain a better appreciation for the power of stories and information, and travel back in time to France via your armchair with great WWII historical fiction.

Read The Paris Library: Amazon | Goodreads

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

CW: Suicide and pet death

One of those books that will make you think differently about the world – and a top book of 2020 – The Midnight Library is one of the best stories about libraries addressing mental health.

Set in England, the novel begins with a car striking a cat, and Nora attempting to take her life.

Caught between life and death, Nora enters the Midnight Library. On its shelves, she encounters books filled with the infinite possibilities and routes her life could have taken.

As she selects stories of the “what ifs” and lives through those new options, we see if Nora’s outcome would be any different, especially as she examines her regrets.

Is what she learns enough to save her life?

Read The Midnight Library: Amazon | Goodreads

The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis

You can’t have books about libraries without a plethora of New York Public Library-set novels.

Travel to 1913 NYC via armchair where Laura Lyons and her husband have the coolest residence: the superintendent’s apartment inside of the NYPL.

Laura desires so much more for her life than the time period dictates, joining a radical women’s rights club. Along with raising her family, she’s also determined to earn a degree in journalism.

Meanwhile, back at the library, valuable books are mysteriously disappearing, and her family might be to blame.

Told in alternating timelines, we also meet Laura’s spinster granddaughter, Sadie, in the 1990s. As rare materials start missing once again, Sadie must learn from her family’s past to save her job.

The Lions Of Fifth Avenue is one of the most evocative historical mystery books about librarians filled with intriguing women. The story is a bit enraging, full of passion, and also thrilling.

Read The Lions Of Fifth Avenue: Amazon | Goodreads

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

Imagine the Willy Wonka chocolate factory of libraries… OK, that sounds terrible considering we all know what really happens to Veruca Salt…

Famous and innovative game-maker Luigi Lemoncello has designed the town’s newest library. As you can imagine, this sounds quite fun, especially to Kyle Keeley, the class goofball.

In fact, Kyle idolizes Mr. Lemoncello and wins one of the 12 coveted spots to stay overnight for a lock-in event.

An evening of games and food sounds pretty amazing until the youth realize that they are trapped inside. Can Kyle and his friends find their way out?

Tween books about the library don’t get any more fun than this, and even adults will find themselves wanting to get locked into the library overnight.

Read Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library: Amazon | Goodreads

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris

You may best know Charlaine Harris for her world-building, vampire book series, Sookie Stackhouse. However, cozy mystery lovers cannot pass up Aurora Teagarden either.

True to our hearts, Aurora (Roe) is a small-town librarian in Georgia with a penchant for true crime. She even attends a monthly club that reviews historical murders.

Did someone say bookish Murderino in the house?

When one of the members is found dead – in the same manner as the case’s victim that is up for discussion that evening – Aurora must find the killer before it’s too late.

Of course, there’s a dreamy police detective and all of that Southern charm.

Fictional books about librarians don’t get any more deadly and suspenseful than this, and Southern novel enthusiasts will find a home among the entire series pages.

Read Real Murders: Amazon | Goodreads

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Full disclosure that for books about libraries and librarians, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is first and foremost a witch book.

However, we loved this novel so much, we had to include it. Plus, you have to admit that Jamie is one sexy and lovable – and kind but not nice – brooding librarian.

Mika Moon has been going at it alone her entire life; it’s the only way as a witch in a world that doesn’t accept witches.

However, she cannot resist the opportunity to mentor three young witches living together – which is unheard of – and she quickly falls in love with their team of gentle caretakers.

However, Nowhere House is full of secrets, and Mika is worried this newfound family is too good to be true, especially after non-witches have exploited her before.

Can Mike find love and a permanent home here?

If you are looking for romance books with librarians, this is it – and everything about The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches will make you laugh and smile, including those F-bombs.

Read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches: Amazon | Goodreads

Before you go…

If you are a public, academic, or school librarian, educator, book reviewer, book lover, or techie, you might also enjoy these librarian podcasts. Not only do the hosts share terrific book, movie, TV, and gaming reviews, but they’ll cover relevant topics about banned books, new technology like AI, funding, and ways to create unique and relevant programming in modern libraries – compiled by an MLIS-degreed librarian. Plus, some of these library podcasts are from the top libraries in the nation.

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• Podcasts About Books

Thank you to TUL contributor, Tori Curran from Explore With Tori

Tori (pronouns: she/her) is a children’s librarian and mom to two boys living in New York. She’s an avid traveler, nature enthusiast, and writer, encouraging families to get outside and start exploring the world. When she’s not hiking or traveling, you can find her lost in a historical fiction book, watching Bravo reruns, or obsessively decluttering her home.