Southeast of the national museum is the main repository of Budapest’s public library system, with access to 930,000 books, 1000 periodicals and 66,000 audio-visual and digital items. Completed in 1889 and exquisitely renovated, the public reading room has gypsum ornaments, gold tracery and enormous chandeliers. It's worth quickly registering (with photo ID) to gain access, but you can just visit the ground-floor cafe to get a sense of the building.
