There’s certainly something special about libraries – the neatly stacked bookshelves, the welcome silence that lets you lose yourself in a book and the best part, being able to take your favourite books home (although we aren’t too fond of due dates)! If the thought makes you want to visit a library right away, we have picked out some of the best libraries in Bangalore for you to head to. Happy reading!
A community library chain that is spread across 13 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 10 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 300 per month (excluding registration fee and refundable deposit)
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 250 per month for two books at a time (excluding registration fee and refundable deposit)
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. Sign up for a membership (the refundable deposit amount starts from INR 800) and you get to borrow books worth a proportional amount (INR 1,200 for the basic membership). You will also be charged a reading fee of 10 per cent of the cost of the books. Read more here.
Price: INR 800 upwards for a membership fee.
While there are quite a few such public libraries throughout the city (divided into five different zones), the most preferred for readers seem 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; you can get yourself a lifetime membership with INR 100 that lets you borrow three books for 15 days.
Price: INR 100 for lifetime membership, prices might now vary.
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. Read more here.
Note that after over 60 years of existence, the British Council Library has shut its physical location. But good news is that now they are an entirely online/digital library. They have also rolled out online English Language Learning courses.
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 1,000
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, but more on that here. Memberships to the library begin at a mere INR 200 and go up to 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
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. You can read all about that here. 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
We know you're here because you are book junkie -- so we'll get straight to it. Here's a list on the Best Bookstores in Namma Ooru. Not ready to step out? No worries, these Online Book Shops will ensure your quota of books never really end.
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 of two floors. The first floor having 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. Read more here.
Price: You can get a lifetime membership here for INR 202 (online or in-person). You need an Aadhaar Card and four passport size photos.
The digital library remains shut on Mondays and every second Tuesday and fourth Saturday of the month. Parking sevices are available too.
Inputs: Sreepathy Paliath
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 to the now 106 year old library. Read more here.
Open from 8:30am - 7:30pm, this is a reference library so you might not be allowed to borrow books. Every second Tuesday is a holiday.
Price: You might have to pay INR 100 - INR 200 for a membership.
We're also a step ahead and have you bookworms (and peeps who have bookworm friends) covered with this list of the Ultimate Bibliophile Gifts! Oh, and here are some gifts for book lovers that aren't actual books. You could also over to Nykaa and get almost anything for everyone including quirky T-shirts. Whatchu waiting for, Bob?
