5 Incredible Libraries in India – a must-visit forevery Bibliophile!

As Michael Embry quotes, ' I don't have to look far for treasures, I discover them when I visit library’. Do you have a passion for reading? Then this article is for you. Apart from disseminating information on a variety of subjects, these libraries are known for their innovative architectural design. Let’s take a tour of 5 commendable libraries in India and do not forget to make a stop on your next India visit.

1. The National Library of India, Kolkata, West Bengal

   Spread over 30 acres of land, it is India’s largest library by volume with over 2.2 million books in the collection. The building flaunts an impressive structure with tall pillars and arches. The green-coloured doors and windows against the white building is an attraction in itself. It is great for research involving government records and colonial papers.
   To access the main reading room, you need to fill an online form to get a Reader’s Pass, which then has to be attested to by a Government Gazetted Officer. These Passes are only issued between 10 am and 1 pm, and 3 pm and 4 pm Monday to Friday.

2. Delhi Public Library, New Delhi

   With over 1.8 million books in stock, Delhi Public Library is a centre of dissemination of knowledge, information and culture. It offers a wide selection of books on a variety of subjects, particularly in early Indian literature and law. You can also access books in a diversity of languages, notably Hindi, Urdu, and Sanskrit.  It even has a Braille library too.
   For membership, you have to provide residency proof of Delhi. Outsiders can become a six-month temporary member by showing a passport and/or student card from the institution with Rs.1000 security deposit.
   3. Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Maharashtra

   The Asiatic Society of Mumbai has treasures of books and periodicals, ancient manuscripts, painted folios, coins, artefacts, maps and prints. Having a wide array of books on diverse areas including numismatics, epigraphy, anthropology, history, archaeology, linguistics, philology, natural history, geology, literature and theology, the library is one of the most historic in India. Housing the Asiatic Society of Mumbai is the Town Hall, a heritage building located in the city’s historic Fort area. The structure is heavily influenced by Roman and Greek architecture.
   The Annual resident member fee is INR 1,500 per person and the Lifetime resident member fee is INR 15,000 per person. Non-Indians are only eligible for limited membership.

3. Saraswathi Mahal Library or Tanjore Maharaja Serfoji's Sarasvati Mahal Library, Tamil Nadu

   Built-up by successive dynasties of Nayaks and the Marathas of Thanjavur, the Library is one among a few medieval libraries existing in the world. It contains a rare valuable collection of manuscripts, books, maps and paintings on all aspects of Art, Culture and Literature. For the public, the library museum is quite a treat.
   The Encyclopaedia Britannica, in its survey of the Libraries of the world, describes it as “the most remarkable Library in India”.

4. Anna Centenary Library, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

   Sprawling across 8 acres of land, the library is huge enough to house approximately 1 million books. Besides stocking a million books, newspapers and periodicals, the library also houses a state-of-the-art auditorium, amphitheatre, 2 conference rooms and a massive food courts. The state-sponsored public library in Kotturpuram, Chennai, has recently been named Asia's largest green library.
   cannot become a member of Anna centenary library Kotturpuram. There is no option till now. You can read any kind of books there.