Let me tell you something straight up – the Building a Library quest in ARC Raiders is one of those missions that seems simple on the surface but can turn into a total nightmare if you’re not prepared. I’ve been through this quest multiple times, and I’m here to share everything I’ve learned so you can breeze through it without the headaches I had.
When Apollo first gave me this quest, I thought, “How hard can it be? Just grab some books and head back.” Boy, was I wrong. The Buried City is no joke, and the Library area is basically a warzone most of the time. But don’t worry – I’ve got your back with this comprehensive guide that’ll help you complete Building a Library like a pro.
What You Need to Know Before Starting?
First things first – this is a mid-game quest from Apollo, so you’ll need to have progressed through his earlier quests before it becomes available. The most important thing to understand right from the get-go is that you need to collect all three books in a single raid. You can’t grab one book, extract, and come back for the others. Trust me, I tried that approach my first time and wasted a good hour before realizing my mistake.
The three books you’re hunting for are:
- Romance book
- Detective book
- Adventure book
And they’re all located in the Library building in the City Center area of Buried City. Simple enough, right? Well, here’s where it gets interesting – this area is one of the hottest spots on the entire map. You’ll be dealing with ARC units, Hornets, Fireballs, and probably other players who are also trying to complete the same quest.
Gear Up for Success
Before you even think about heading to the Library, you need to make sure you’re properly equipped. I learned this the hard way when I showed up underprepared and got shredded within minutes. Here’s what I recommend bringing:
Essential Equipment:
- Looting MK.2 – This is non-negotiable. The extra Safe Pocket it gives you means you can guarantee at least two books make it back even if things go south. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
- Strong Weapon – I personally roll with the Ferro. It packs enough punch to deal with the Hornets and other ARC units you’ll inevitably run into.
- Shield – Don’t even think about going without one. The Library area gets intense, and you’ll need that extra protection.
- Plenty of Ammo – Seriously, bring more than you think you’ll need. I’ve been caught in firefights that lasted way longer than expected.
Optional but Helpful:
- Medkits – Because you never know when things will go wrong
- Grenades – Great for clearing out groups of enemies quickly
- Armor Plates – Extra protection never hurts
Finding the Library
The Library is located in the City Center area on the northern side of the Buried City map. If you’re looking at your map, you’ll find it just above Marano Park. It’s also near the Hospital and Parking Garage, so use those landmarks if you’re having trouble spotting it.
When I first went looking for the Library, I made the mistake of approaching from the wrong direction and ended up in a firefight I wasn’t prepared for. The best approach is from the southwest – there’s an entrance there that’s usually less heavily guarded.
As you get close to the Library, keep your head on a swivel. This area is constantly patrolled by ARC units, and you’ll likely run into other players doing the same quest. I’ve found that if you’re playing solo, calling out that you’re just there for the books can sometimes lead to temporary truces with other players. After all, they’re in the same boat as you.
Inside the Library – Book Locations
Okay, here’s where the real challenge begins. You’re inside the Library, and now you need to find all three books. I’m going to break this down floor by floor so you know exactly where to look.
Ground Floor – Romance Book
When you first enter the Library, you’ll be on the ground floor. Look straight ahead and you’ll see a small book cart sitting in front of some taller shelves. This is where you’ll find the Romance book.
Here’s the thing – the book will be highlighted in yellow, so it’s pretty hard to miss. When you interact with the book cart, the Romance book will drop to the ground. Make sure you actually pick it up and add it to your inventory. I’ve seen so many players (including myself, I’ll admit) interact with the cart and then walk away without actually grabbing the book.
The Romance book is usually the easiest to find since it’s right there when you walk in. Consider it a warm-up for the other two.
Second Floor – Detective Book
Now, head upstairs to the second floor. Be careful here – I’ve encountered Fireballs on this floor more times than I can count. They love to hide near the bookshelves, so keep your weapon ready.
Once you’re on the second floor, turn left. You’ll see another book cart, this one positioned between two larger shelves on your right. This is where the Detective book is located.
The Detective book might be a bit trickier to spot because the lighting on the second floor isn’t great, and those larger shelves can create some dark corners. Take your time and scan the area carefully. The yellow highlight helps, but it’s easy to miss if you’re rushing.
Second Floor – Adventure Book
You’re not done yet! The Adventure book is also on the second floor, but you’ll need to walk past the Detective book location to find it.
Keep moving forward from the Detective book cart until you see a mezzanine area with a small stairway opening on your left. The Adventure book is on a cart beside some fallen shelves in this area.
This one gave me trouble my first few times because it’s a bit more hidden than the other two. The fallen shelves create some visual clutter, so you really need to look carefully. But don’t worry – it’s there, and once you know where to look, it’s easy to spot.
Quick Reference: All Book Locations
| Book Type | Floor | Specific Location |
|---|---|---|
| Romance | Ground Floor | Small book cart in front of tall shelves, near entrance |
| Detective | Second Floor | Book cart between two larger shelves, turn left from stairs |
| Adventure | Second Floor | Book cart beside fallen shelves, in mezzanine area past Detective book |
Extraction – The Most Critical Part
You’ve got all three books – congratulations! But you’re not done yet. The extraction phase is where many players (including myself, on multiple occasions) lose everything.
The good news is that there’s an extraction point very close to the Library. Head outside the front entrance, and you’ll see the metro station for the Northern Station train about 70 meters ahead.
Here’s where you need to be extra careful:
- The metro station itself often has Fireball Arcs hiding inside
- Other players will be heading to the same extraction point
- You’re carrying valuable quest items, making you a target
I recommend taking a moment before heading to the extraction to check your surroundings. Use any cover available, and don’t be afraid to wait a bit if the area looks too hot. Better to spend an extra minute or two waiting than to lose all your progress because you rushed.
Once you’re inside the metro station, call the train and get ready to head back to Speranza. Keep your weapon out until you’re actually on the train – I’ve been ambushed right at the extraction point more times than I care to admit.
Rewards for Completing the Quest
Once you make it back to Speranza, head over to Apollo and turn in the three books. Here’s what you’ll get for completing the Building a Library quest:
- Buried City Town Hall Key – This is the big one. It gives you access to high-tier loot in the Town Hall, making it well worth the effort
- 20,000 XP – A nice chunk of experience to help you level up
- 1 Jolt Mine – Useful for your future raids
- 1 Heavy Fuze Grenade – Great for dealing with groups of enemies
The Town Hall Key alone makes this quest worth doing, in my opinion. The loot you can access with it is some of the best in the game, and you’ll want to have it for future raids.
2026 Pro Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier
After completing this quest multiple times, I’ve picked up some strategies that I wish I knew from the beginning:
- Time Your Raid – The Library area tends to be less crowded during off-peak hours. I’ve had much better success running this quest early in the morning or late at night when fewer players are online.
- Bring a Friend – If possible, team up with someone. Having a second person to watch your back while you’re collecting books makes a huge difference. Just make sure you both have Looting MK.2 so you can carry all the books between you.
- Use the Environment – The Library has plenty of cover. Use the bookshelves and columns to break line of sight if you get into a firefight. I’ve survived many encounters by ducking behind shelves and catching my breath.
- Listen for Audio Cues – The ARC units make distinct sounds. Learn to recognize the audio cues for Hornets and Fireballs so you can prepare before they’re right on top of you.
- Have an Exit Strategy – Before you even enter the Library, plan your extraction route. Know exactly where you’re going when you have all three books so you don’t waste time figuring it out while under pressure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve seen so many players make the same mistakes I did when I first started this quest. Learn from my errors:
- Not bringing enough ammo – You will inevitably get into fights. Bring more ammo than you think you’ll need.
- Rushing the book collection – Take your time to locate each book properly. Rushing often leads to missing one and having to search the entire area again.
- Ignoring enemy threats – Just because you’re focused on books doesn’t mean enemies will ignore you. Stay alert and ready to fight at all times.
- Extracting without checking surroundings – Always check the extraction area before making a run for it. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been ambushed right at the extraction point.
What’s Next?
After completing Building a Library, you’ll have access to the Buried City Town Hall, which opens up new opportunities for high-tier loot. Apollo will also have more quests for you, including:
- A New Type of Plant
- Tribute to Toledo
These quests will help you progress further in the game and unlock even better rewards. The Building a Library quest is really a gateway to more advanced content, so completing it is an important milestone.
Final Thoughts
Look, I’m not going to lie – the Building a Library quest can be frustrating, especially when you’re just starting out. But it’s also incredibly rewarding once you complete it. The feeling of successfully extracting with all three books after a tense raid is unmatched.
Take your time, prepare properly, and don’t get discouraged if you fail a few times. I certainly did! Each attempt teaches you something new about the area and the enemy patterns.
Remember, the key to success in this quest is preparation and patience. With the right gear, knowledge of the book locations, and a solid extraction plan, you’ll be turning in those books to Apollo in no time.
Good luck out there, and I’ll see you in the Buried City!
FAQ
Do I need to collect all three books in one raid?
Yes, absolutely. This is the most important thing to understand about the Building a Library quest. You must collect all three books (Romance, Detective, and Adventure) in a single raid and extract with all of them to complete the quest. You can’t grab one book, extract, and come back for the others later.
What’s the best loadout for this quest?
I recommend using the Looting MK.2 for the extra Safe Pocket, a strong weapon like the Ferro, a good shield, and plenty of ammo. The area is heavily populated with enemies, so you need to be prepared for combat even though the quest itself is about collecting books.
Where exactly is the Library located?
The Library is in the City Center area on the northern side of the Buried City map. You’ll find it just above Marano Park and near the Hospital and Parking Garage. It’s a large building that should be easy to spot once you’re in the right area.
What rewards do I get for completing this quest?
Upon completion, you’ll receive the Buried City Town Hall Key (which is extremely valuable for accessing high-tier loot), 20,000 XP, one Jolt Mine, and one Heavy Fuze Grenade.
Can I complete this quest solo or do I need a team?
You can definitely complete this quest solo – I’ve done it multiple times by myself. However, having a teammate can make it much easier, as they can watch your back while you’re collecting books and help deal with any enemies you encounter.
Want more ARC Raiders guides and tips? Check out our other articles for comprehensive walkthroughs and strategies to help you dominate in every raid!