10 Best Libraries In Bangalore Where You Can Find The Best Books

A community library chain that is spread across multiple cities in the country, Just Books is your go-to option if you want to borrow books. From their basic plan that lets you borrow two books at a time to the Avid 10 plan with which you can borrow 12 books at a time, you have quite a few options to choose from. You can even get your favourite books delivered to your doorstep! With over 70,000 English books, across different genres, we think your book needs are sorted with this one.

Price: Membership plans start from INR 2,722 per month for 3 months (including registration fee and security deposit)

Google Rating: 4.7

Timings: 11 AM - 7 PM, closed on Mondays

While they do offer the option of registering online, we suggest you head to their library at CV Raman Nagar. They have Basic, Standard and Premium plans (at really affordable rates too) which let you take one to three books at a time. You can also opt to customise your membership plan. Oh, and if you prefer flipping through magazines rather than poring over a book, they have special magazine plans as well. You can even register online with them and have your books delivered to you. 

Price: Membership plans start from INR 400 per month for two books at a time (excluding registration fee and refundable deposit)

Google Rating: 4.5

Timings: 10 AM - 6 PM, closed on Sundays

Having started with their first library in Ernakulam (Kerala), Eloor soon set up shop in different cities, including Bangalore (in 1988). Stocking enough to satisfy the bibliophiles in the city, the library has everything from fiction, biographies, business, self-help and sports to cookery and management. You get to borrow books worth a proportional amount. The permitted reading time is 14 days. 

Price: INR 1,000 refundable single membership fees; reading fee is 10% of the book cost. 

Google Rating: 4.7

Timings: 10 AM - 7 PM

While there are quite a few such public libraries throughout the city (divided into five different zones), the most preferred for readers seems to be the one in the South Zone (near Jayanagar 3rd Block). And, why not, when you have more than 50,000 books to pick from and enough space (think quiet surroundings, even a small park!) to read them in. What’s more, membership rates are a steal!

Price: INR 200 for a lifetime membership.

Google Rating: 4.7

Timings: 8 AM - 8 PM

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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 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. 

Note that after over 60 years of existence, the British Council Library has shut its physical location. But the good news is that now they are an entirely online/digital library. They have also rolled out online English Language Learning courses. 

Price: INR 2,000 per year (Digital Library Membership)

With over 40,000 volumes and 400 periodicals, the library at this public institution holds rare and old books as well. A favourite of many who are interested in varied topics like philosophy, literature, history, travel writing and written works on arts and music, this place also has a selection of Kannada titles. Their basic membership plan lets you borrow a book and two magazines, which have to be returned within 15 days.

Price: Membership plans start at INR 200 per year (excluding refundable deposit)

Google Rating: 4.7

Timings: 10 AM - 7:30 PM, closed on Mondays

The quaint, little Gupta Circulating Library, on Malleswaram’s Sampige Road, is a charming haven for bibliophiles to spend hours scanning the shop for classics from five different languages and experience the warm, personal service extended by its owner, GRJ Gupta. He started this library when he was 12, and he’s catered to over three generations of Bangaloreans. Memberships to the library begin at a mere INR 200 and go up to INR 400 depending on the number of books you’d like to borrow in a month. Be aware that the place might have a staggered timing and may be closed on certain days. Call the place to confirm if they are open or not. 

Price: Membership plans start at INR 200

Google Rating: 4.7

Timings: 12 PM - 8 PM

Just behind the 100-year-old Daly Memorial Hall is the Mythic Society’s equally old library that is a treasure trove of books, old and new. In fact, it houses over 40,000 books inside a sea of green aluminium bookshelves that include ones donated by Sir Hugh Daly, who was once the Resident of Mysore State and Chief Commissioner of Coorg, and after whom the building is named. The Mysore Secretariat’s Library’s collection is also found here, as it was transferred here in the early years. Unlike other libraries, you can’t check out a book and take it home, but rather you need to use it within the library.

Price: Free membership

Google Rating: 4.7

Timings: 10 AM - 5:15 PM, 10 AM - 4 PM on Sundays, closed on Mondays

Whitefield is not just MNCs and big corporate parks anymore. There is a newly opened digital public library that will have all you folks make a journey there just to check it out. The library boasts two floors. The first floor, which has walls flanked with images of Jnanpith Award Winners, has a storage space for personal belongings and is solely for computers (we hear there are about 30 access points). The second floor is a reading space (a hit amongst students). The Government Public Digital Library has subscriptions to about 30 newspapers and 22,000 books and magazines. 

Price (approx.): You can get a lifetime membership here for INR 202 (online or in-person). You need an Aadhaar Card and four passport-size photos. 

Google Rating: 4.4

Timings: 8:30 AM - 8 PM, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

The State Central Library (also known as the Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall) is nestled in the city's lungs, amidst the lush greenery of Cubbon Park. This is not just picturesque but also a treasure trove of books and journals. We hear they have more than a staggering 31,40,000 books with copies of each book ever published in the state, making this the largest library in Karnataka. Certainly amongst the biggest iconic landmarks of Bengaluru, the brick red walls stand out against the green of Cubbon Park. The reading space is large, and the high ceiling lends a royal touch.

Price (approx.): You might have to pay INR 100 - INR 200 for a membership.

Google Rating: 4.5

Timings: 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM, closed on Mondays

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