National Library of Kolkata is the largest Indian library, working under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of the Indian Government. The library functions as a storehouse of printed articles that are produced in India. It preserves a huge collection of books and journals that are greatly beneficial to students and research workers. Dr. R. Ramachandran is the present director as well as the Principal Library and Information Officer of National Library.
History of National Library
National library was earlier known by the name of Imperial Library, which was opened to the public on 30th January, 1903. It was situated at the Metcalf Hall in Calcutta. The Imperial Library which was formed in 1891 was actually a home to many small libraries, of which the most interesting was the Home Department Library which contained a collection of books from different libraries like Library of the London East India Board and East India College Library in Fort William. The Calcutta Public Library which was established in 1836, merged with the Imperial Library under Lord Curzon. The first librarian appointed at the library was John Macfarlane. After India's independence, the name 'Imperial Library’ was changed to National Library. This new library, which was shifted to the present location on Belvedere Estate in Kolkata, was opened for public use since 1st February, 1953.
National Library Collections
The library holds a wide collection of books, journals, newspapers, manuscripts, maps, Indian official documents, science and technology, rare articles and foreign official documents. Readers will find in fact a separate section for each of these collections. The Indian section includes books written in Indian languages like Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kashmiri, Sindhi and other vernacular languages.
Some of the popular collection includes:
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- Srimad Bhagavad, Rukmini haran nat, Gunamala, Sri Sankardev's Kirattan (Assamese)
- Jibanananda Das, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhaya, Visnu De, Bibuti Bhushan Bandaopadhaya (Bengali
- Bhai Santosh Singh's Guru Paratap Suraj Granthavali, Geographical Description of the Panjab, Gurudas Bhai's Vars (punjabi)
- Vatakkan Pattukal, Ramaprattu Variyar's Kucelavrtam, Ezuttachan's Adhyatama Ramayana (Malayalam)
- Wiyur, Nurnama, Shirin Qalm, Krishna Lila (Kashmiri)
- Rajaniti, Braja Bhasha Grammar, Prem Sagur (Hindi)
National Library Membership
The library offers membership options for regular visitors, but only for those who are18 years and above. Under the scheme of Local Membership, the reader is allowed to carry 2 books home for a period of 2 weeks. If the books are returned late, a fine is charged to the borrower. Members of the library can be categorized as Lending Member, Reading Room Member and Outstation Member. There is a loan facility for the libraries from other parts of India and abroad, who want to borrow books for their readers, from the National Library. Bibliographic facilities can be availed by universities, research scholars, institutions and other agencies, where special reports are made by the library on request. To use the children's section, no membership is required.
National Library Information
The library is located at a distance of 10 km from Howrah station, 4 km from Esplanade and 20 km from Netaji Shubhas chandra Bose International Airport. The library is open on week days between 9 am and 8 pm. On the weekends, it remains open from 9.30 am to 6 pm.
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