The biggest bookstores and libraries in North America

While some have closed, there are still many bookstores and libraries to support

Bigger is not always better. But when it comes to bookstores, square footage tells something about the situation.

At one time, there were many mega-bookstores across North America. A 154,250-square-foot Barnes & Noble store on Fifth Avenue in New York City was not only the largest in North America, but among the most expansive in the world. It was a community center and networking place, as much as a site to browse books, magazines…