Libraries are often thought of as quiet, predictable places—but some defy all expectations. Around the world, a few extraordinary libraries exist in places you’d never expect, offering books in the most unusual ways. Here are five of the most unique libraries on Earth.

1. The Library in a Phone Booth – Westbury, England

When the village of Westbury lost its public library, locals took matters into their own hands—by converting an old red telephone booth into a mini-library. Now, anyone can leave a book or take one, creating a community-run literary treasure trove. Despite its tiny size, the booth remains well-stocked, proving that a love for books needs no grand building.

2. The Floating Library of Lake Titicaca – Peru & Bolivia

On the remote Uros Islands of Lake Titicaca, where indigenous communities live on floating reed islands, a special library arrives by boat. This floating book service, often powered by local volunteers, brings literature to children who have no access to traditional libraries. The books are sometimes exchanged between islands, ensuring that even in one of the most isolated places on Earth, stories can still travel.

3. The Biblioburro – Colombia

Deep in the rural areas of Colombia, a teacher named Luis Soriano takes books to children by donkey. Known as the "Biblioburro," this traveling library consists of two donkeys, Alfa and Beto, who carry books to villages with little access to education. Soriano’s mission has inspired similar programs worldwide, proving that a simple idea can have a profound impact on literacy.

4. The Camel Library – Kenya

In the arid regions of Kenya, where roads are scarce and schools are few, books travel by camel. This mobile library, operated by the Kenya National Library Service, delivers books to nomadic communities, ensuring that even the most remote villages have access to literature. The camels, laden with book-filled boxes, trek across the desert, bringing the joy of reading to children who might otherwise never hold a book.

5. The Weapon of Mass Instruction – Buenos Aires, Argentina

In the bustling streets of Buenos Aires, artist Raúl Lemesoff transformed a 1979 Ford Falcon into a mobile library unlike any other. Dubbed the "Weapon of Mass Instruction," this tank-like vehicle is stacked with nearly 900 books and roams the city, offering free literature to anyone willing to read. The goal? To fight ignorance and promote literacy in an unconventional, attention-grabbing way. By turning a symbol of war into one of knowledge, Lemesoff’s creation proves that books can be just as powerful as weapons—if not more so.

From a phone booth to a floating book boat, donkey-delivered literature, camel libraries, and a book-filled tank, these examples show that knowledge and stories can thrive in the most unexpected and inspiring places. Would you visit one of these unusual libraries? Or have you ever encountered a hidden literary gem on your travels?

Until next time,

Want to receive real adventure mail?

We created this email newsletter as a bonus for our Letters From Afar subscribers (and non-subscribers!) If you’d like to receive real letters in your mailbox each month about the world’s most exciting destinations, click the button below!