Top 10 Reading Libraries To Visit In Trivandrum

They say if you have a garden and a library, you have everything. Libraries appeal differently to different kinds of people. For the ones who are not into too much reading and more into rock music or metallic there is no other place which is more boring and pallid than a library for them. On the other hand for the avid readers and the admirers of nature a library is no less than a boon for them, where they can explore the depths of their imaginations. I have seen many people who are introverts or not too expressive among their peer groups having excessively vivid imaginations and when it comes to reading and writing their thoughts down, a trail of words and feelings runs down the paper. Libraries are a boon to such people, for what they can’t express by saying; they do so by reading and writing for they have a bundle of imagination in their minds. And off course how can we forget the geeky minds who either just want to get good marks in the exams or the different type of geeks who love to increase their knowledge and also other people’s knowledge and eventually end up getting good marks! For them also libraries are considered their second home. Both a classroom and a library provide knowledge, books etc then what’s the difference between a classroom and a library? The classroom is a jail for other people’s interest but the library is an unending, open and free place from where you can come and go anytime you want, any knowledge you want to take and any person of any age group can take away something from a library. It is an unending place with just an ocean of books, novels, articles, newspapers etc etc …..

So those were some sweet words for libraries now what further you are going to read in this article is the top 10 libraries in Trivandrum. Trivandrum or now commonly known as Thiruvananthapuram, is the capital and the largest city of Kerala. ‘The city of bliss’ is a major IT hub and home of major aerospace research centre in India. Along with being advanced in technical IT and space related aspects this city is also rich in its alluring literature and knowledge. This city is the hub of many large and beautiful libraries which enhance the beauty of this place and is a treat to all you bookworms out there! 

So here are the top libraries of Trivandrum.

Top 10 Reading Libraries To Visit In Trivandrum

First Library you must visit in Trivandrum

State Central Library

So here is the most popular library which is not only famous in Kerala but also it holds a significant place in the history of India this is also known as Trivandrum public library is situated at the heart of the city. This is also the first public library of India which makes it very important because back then there was no such thing as public libraries, people who belonged to wealthy families had private libraries in their homes but for the poor there was no such provision other than newspapers and listening to radios. Establishment of this library opened the doors of enlightenment and knowledge especially for the poor.

This library was established by King Swathi Thirunal in 1829 A.D. there are many sections in the library like. Technical Section, Circulation Section (Books & Periodicals) English Section, Malayalam Section ,Tamil / Hindi / Sanskrit / Section, Reference Section Children’s Section Binding Section, Reprographic Section, reading rooms , Digital Library ,British Library Collection, A Library science certification course in place.

That’s certainly a lot of content and bookworms can certainly rush to this place if you live in Trivandrum.

The library also has a digital collection of books known as the digital library with a searchable format of 709 books in English and Malayalam.

• Address- Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Near Kerala University Stadium, University of Kerala Senate House Campus, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695033
• Timings- open till 8pm all seven days

Second Library you must visit in Trivandrum

Kerala University Library

It is the largest and the oldest university library of Kerala. It stocks over 3, 50,000 books and nearly 500 journals magazines and newspapers. It also has a digital information services such as UGC infonet which is surely an advancement in this field. It has many special collections such as Kerala studies, women development section, biographies and government publications. The very exciting thing about this library is that it is the only library in Kerala which serves as a depository of UN and World Bank publications. The library is well maintained and air conditioned and provides a good ambience for students to read. The library is also equipped with a reading room.

• Address- Kerala University Library Palayam University Post          Thiruvananthapuram-695034
• Timings- 8 AM to 8 PM on all working day and 2 PM to 8 PM on Sundays

Third Library you must visit in Trivandrum

Eloor Library       

One of the finest libraries of Kerala, this library was first established on the Marine Drive of Cochi, Kerala and  now this library has several other branches in other states like Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi. Earlier the government libraries were not able to satisfy the needs of the readers and new genres were demanded by the people which welcomed the opening of eloor. Eloor libraries was an alternative for people to read books without buying them and gave books on rent and still provides books on rent and has new genres which interests people. So no worrying about the money to buy books for you can take the book on rent at a very low price. Currently the library provides many genres including, Classics, General Fiction, Science Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Children’s Books, Indian Authors, Management, Business, Computer,  Biography, Religion, Philosophy, Sports, Cookery etc.

• Address- T.C. 9/852(7) ABM Home, I Floor Vellayambalam Jawahar Lane Sasthamangalam P.O. Thiruvananthapuram – 695010
• Timings- open 24 hours all 7 days.

Fourth Library you must visit in Trivandrum

Forest Central Library

For all the nature lovers out there! This one’s for you people. This library is maintained in the forest headquarters and caters to the needs of people and scholars who study nature and are concerned with environment wildlife and forests. This library has many genres and is a study place for PhD scholars and to associate with the environment

• Address- Forest Central Library Forest Headquarters Vazhuthacaud Thiruvananthapuram-14
• Timings-  from 10:00 a.m. t o 5:00 p.m. on working days and is closed on weekends.

Fifth Library you must visit in Trivandrum

Library Reading Room- Kerala State Civil Service Academy

This reading room and library has a very great ambience supplied with air conditioners and comfortable seating arrangements. It also provides free wifi so whenever you want to take a break from reading you can surf the internet! Books are well updated, But the reading rooms having a too good atmosphere for reading sometimes becomes crowded, so if you are planning to grab a seat here to spend the rest of the day with books , you got to be a little early perhaps!

• Address-Anathra Lane, Charachira, P.O, Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695003
• Timings- open till 10pm daily

Sixth Library you must visit in Trivandrum

Skulkutti.com Children’s Library

So this one is for kids. The library has an excellent collection of books for the children from fiction to fables to moral stories.

The aesthetics are well suited for the children and walls and furniture is colorful. Other than this, they also conduct events and activities for the kids like storytelling, writing etc.

• Address: A-21 Neelima, Elankom Gardens A St, Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695010
• Timings- 10 am to 7pm

Seventh Library you must visit in Trivandrum

NCESS Library

National Center for Earth Science Studies Library has 5990 books covering topics like agro sciences, geography, geology, environmental and atmospheric science. It has a special online system called Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) which can be accessed from anywhere within the campus and available to people. This system includes online journals on science and technology, nature, geology, geophysics etc. 

• Address- Aakkulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695011
• Timings- 9am- 5:30pm on all days except Thursday and weekends

Eighth Library you must visit in Trivandrum

Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Central Library

Hosts a fully air conditioned and well maintained library with a proper reading room and many genres.

Address: Arasummoodu, Kadakampally, Thiruvananthapuram

Ninth Library you must visit in Trivandrum

YMCA Library and E-Learning Center

YMCA is an international organization which provides an e-learning platform for all the sections of the society. It doesn’t aim at building up a large book collections and journals but rather aims at building a virtual library where the people can get an experience of a “library without walls” rather than access to a self-sufficient library in the physical sense. But it also has a small confined section of books for reference aspects.

• Address- Statue Rd, Statue, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695001
• Timings- 9:30am – 6pm

Tenth Library you must visit in Trivandrum

Kerala Council for Historical Research

The place is very calm and composed with events and exhibitions related to art and craft happening around very often. Provides reading materials on genres like history, geology and social sciences. It also has many books on history of Kerala. This library is also equipped with a big reading room.

• Address: PB No. 839, Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan,
• Timings – 10am- 5pm