Top 10 Reading Libraries in Bangalore 2019

For majority of people, books are part of everyday life. Books are packaged with life lessons, love, knowledge, insights into happy life and helpful advice. Also, a good measure of the literacy and chivalry of a society is indicative in its value of books, which can be best determined by the collection of books in its libraries. If this thought makes you want to go to a library right away, we have got top 10 interesting and best libraries in Bangalore for you to head to merry reading.

State Central Library

Also known as the Sir Sheshadri Iyer Library, it is one of India’s biggest and oldest libraries, making it an instant favourite with readers and history-buffs alike. This huge library is one of the oldest libraries in the state. The huge red-colored structure was opened as a library in 1915 in the memory of Diwan Sir Sheshadri Iyer, the Diwan of Mysore. The library has an enormous collection of books from various categories, including a huge collection of works in Indian regional languages. It is the abode of 2,40,093 books and has ten sections, one of them being a computer section. The books are well organized and the library has huge reading rooms, where you can lose yourself in books. It is open between 10.00 AM to 08:00 PM, but is closed on Mondays and second Tuesdays of the month.

City Central Library

The City Central Library of Bangalore is located just off 100 Feet Road, near Domlur. This is why it is often referred to as City Central Library, Domlur. This library is spacious and surrounded by greenery and is everything an avid reader can ask for. With more than 50,000 books to choose from, people from all age groups flock to this library to read. The calm environment is what makes you want to stay here a little longer and keep on reading. The staff employed is well mannered and always happy to help. Its presence in five zones of the city makes it accessible to everyone.Its reading room, however, is what is most popular, as it attracts plenty of students. This is a haven, where you can read, research, and study in a peaceful learning environment. The library is open seven days a week, from 9:30 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm.

DVK Central Library

Another modern marvel, this library sprawls over a large area and is surrounded by beautiful green lawns and tall trees. The library is famous for a rich collection of books and a professional and efficient staff. It also provides the facility of computers to the members so that they can browse the internet to collect information on anything and everything. If you plan to start your own library or to become a librarian then the staff here is always ready to give you their valuable advice.

Indira Priyadarshini State Children’s Library

Although listed as part of the State Central Library, it is a library in its own right. Housed in a separate, independent structure about 200 meters away, the children’s library is also within the precincts of Cubbon Park. Library services can be availed free of charge and it has a huge collection of books, including reference material and children’s literature. The library which was setup in 1999 is open from 10 AM to 5 PM from Monday to Saturday.

JRD Tata Memorial Library

JRD Tata Memorial Library, which was formerly known simply as the Library of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), is now one of the most impressive educational libraries in the country. The library was one of the first administrative departments to be set up at the institute, having been established back in 1911. It is regarded as one of the best libraries of its kind in the country and possibly the world because of its commitment to research and enlightenment. The bulk of its Rs. 12 crore annual budget goes into subscriptions for international mathematical and scientific publications like periodicals and journals, ensuring that visiting academics and scholars have access to the latest information.

Sri Ramakrishna Ashram Library

Sri Ramakrishna Ashram Library is a noteworthy library that is part of the Ramakrishna Math, on the famous Bull Temple Road. This may not be the place to visit if you are looking for academic and scientific information, but it boasts of a huge collection of books on spirituality, philosophy, lifestyle, yoga and more. The library has more than 12,000 books, 30 periodicals, and it also has a reading room. The library is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 9 am to 12 pm and from 4 pm to 6:30 pm.

IIA Library

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), which is headquartered in Bengaluru, is renowned as one of the country’s best research institutes and it is also home to a huge library. The library is open to students, faculty, and visiting scholars from across the country and the world. It provides access to a wide range of works on astronomy and physics, with over 20,000 volumes of books. It is also well-stocked with scientific periodicals and journals. The strength of the library lies in its rich collection on observational astronomy and theoretical physics. The library is open from 9am – 5.30 pm, and is only closed on Sundays.

British Council Library

The British Council Library of Bengaluru is one of the best libraries in the city. The library is credited with shaping some of the brightest minds over the decades of its existence. Apart from print books (covering everything from fiction and short stories to life sciences and graphic arts), DVDs and audiobooks, the British Council Library’s membership gives you an unlimited online access to academic e-books, newspapers, 50 contemporary UK magazines and independent movie streaming. Now, that’s a deal you can’t turn down. The library has been the go-to destination for educators, students, and readers across various age groups because of its impressive collection of books that are neatly categorized. The library has also embraced modernization and digitization, with patrons now able to browse through their catalogue online, add books to a rental queue, and request both delivery and pickup.

Eloor Lending Library

This 34-year-old library has been spreading the light of knowledge for quite some time now. From the beginning, Eloor has defined its vocation as providing a truly viable alternative to people who yearn for good books, but won’t buy them. It is amazing what unremitting application to a clearly perceived purpose can bring about, when kept up over long years. In the case of Eloor it has resulted in the creation of a wondrous wealth of books in each branch.New Arrivals, Classics, General Fiction, Science Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Children’s Books, Indian Authors, Management, Business, Computer, Self-Help, Biography, Religion, Philosophy, Sports, Cookery, etc – the Eloor sections range far and wide.  With books latest and oldest of all genres, it is truly a place where people of all age groups can find books of their choice and experience the joy of reading them. People from all walks of life are members of this amazing library. Not just in Bangalore, it has branches in many other parts of the country including Kolkata, Delhi, Trivandrum, and Chennai. Renting books here is quite cheap, at 10% of the price of the book

Nool Library

With a mission to provide lifetime learning to people, Nool Library is a treasure of over 25000 books. From Paulo Coelho to J.K Rowling and Chetan Bhagat, books by all authors can be found here. Along with a vast collection of books it also has tons of magazines. You can become a member of this library through online registration. You can also avail the various book plans they have for the members. You can issue up to three books at a time through these plans.