(CNN) How cool can libraries be in an era of iPads and Kindles?

More than you think, if you know where to go.

In its first year, more than two million tourists visited the library, which was designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and American designer Joshua Ramus.

Whatever the verdict, the building is an impressive work of art: shiny, abstract and unusual.

The library holds various art exhibitions, book signings and other events throughout the year.

The library offers free self-guided cell phone tours, along with group tours.

Where to find it: 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104 ; +1 206 386 4636.

Trinity College Library, the largest in Ireland, dates back to 1592.

Old, yes. Boring, no.

One of the most famous manuscripts is "The Book of Kells: Turning Darkness into Light," which contains the four Gospels in Latin based on a Vulgate text, written on vellum. The manuscript itself attracts more than 500,000 visitors a year.

The Long Room houses one of the oldest harps in Ireland. Dating to the 15th century, the oak harp is the model for the emblem of Ireland.

Queen Elizabeth II visited the library last year, the first monarch to do so since 1911.

Where to find it: College Green, Dublin 2; +353 1 8961127.

Geisel Library is named after Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel -- AKA Dr Seuss.

Throwing some literature into "Inception."

At first glance, it looks like a spaceship.

Architect William Pereira, who helped design actual space launch facilities at Cape Canaveral in Houston, Texas, designed the library in 1970. It has been featured in sci-fi films, short stories and novels.

If you need a hint of which film, think of Leonardo DeCaprio, dreams and a lot of snow.

Yes, the snow fortress in the film "Inception" looks a lot like the Geisel Library.

But of course, it's not just the exterior that's interesting. The library also hosts "Dinner in the Library," which invites readers for cocktails, a silent auction and also a special speech from prominent authors.

Where to find it: 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; +1 858 534 2230.

The roof of the TU Delft Library is covered in grass.

Where the Teletubbies may come to roam and read.

The building itself exists beneath the ground, so you can't really see the actual library. What makes it interesting is the roof, which is a grassy hill.

A huge cone pierces the grass roof, which symbolizes technology. This "gives (more) shape to the introverted reading rooms," according to the library.

The roof covers 5,500 square meters. Construction of the roof posed several difficulties in terms of maintenance and leakage, but it has become one of the most striking and greenest (both literally and environmentally) structures in the area.

Quick tip before you lie down on the grass: beware the sprinklers.

Where to find it: Prometheusplein 1, 2628, ZC Delft, The Netherlands; +31 15 27 85678.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a modern version of the famous ancient library that burned down in the 4th century.

The new library was reborn in 2002 on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea after 10 years of designing, planning and construction.

Along with the standard libraries with books, there are four museums covering antiquities, manuscripts and science, and also 15 permanent exhibitions, including "Impressions of Alexandria," "Arabic Calligraphy" and "The History of Printing."

With its circular yet tilting form, the library looks like a modern painting. Various carvings and alphabetic inscriptions decorate the flatter side of the building, which the designers explain is "a careful display of the library's basic proviso: language."

Where to find it:El Shatby, Al-Iskandariyya, Egypt; +20 3 483 9999.

Stuttgart City Library is contained within a white cube.

Try not to get your fingerprints on the white walls.

The Stuttgart City Library is controversial. Some say it's innovative, while others say it doesn't match its environment.

The space throws various events, including book signings, readings and exhibitions.

The white and silver library may not fit perfectly with the green trees and red-roofed houses around the city, but it does stand out.

Where to find it:Mailaender Platz 1, 70173, Stuttgart, Germany; +49 711 216 91100.

Bishan Library is designed to resemble a tree house.

Your modernized tree house.

Simple and sophisticated, it was designed to look like a tree house.

The colorful pods that stick out of one side of the building represent books protruding from a bookshelf. Inside the library, these pods offer private spaces for reading. Not to mention a perfect place to hold seminars, readings and workshops.

Its ceiling-high glass windows also make it fun to watch people walking and reading from inside the building.

Where to find it: 5 Bishan Place, #01-01, Singapore 579841; +65 6332 3255.

Editor's note: This article was previously published in 2013. It was reformatted, updated and republished in 2017.

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7 of the world's most beautiful libraries - CNN