With change in lifestyle and less and less time to spend, people no longer prefer the older reading places. Here are some of the most visited private and public libraries in Bangalore that are a hub for reading and recreational activities.

Remember the neighbourhood library from a couple of decades back, which stocked a standard set of bestsellers, magazines and comics from India and abroad. And how these libraries always smelled of old books; such places are now fast disappearing. But however there are still some libraries which are frequented by people. Here are some of the most visited private and public libraries in Bangalore that are a hub for reading and recreational activities.

Central Library
The library was taken over by the government as State Central Library under the provision of the Karnataka Public library Act in 1966. The library, strategically located in the middle of the greenery at Cubbon Park, is any book lover's delight. It has more than 2.4 lakh precious and rare books.

The wide-ranging collection at the library includes books on any given topic under the sun. The library has got a rich collection of reference books. In 1986 the library was designated as State Central Reference Library and it is open to public only for consultation of documents with in its premises. It is open on all the days except on Mondays.

The Indian Institute of World Culture
This Library in Basavangudi offers a whole world of knowledge in literature, arts, science and culture. With a collection of over 45,000 books this library is known for old books, particularly literature. The library has a wide array of books ranging from world history, literature, poetry, philosophy and theosophy, to fictions and biographies. Besides, there are a lot of academic books too.

The Indian Institute of World Culture has separate segments for main library, children’s section, a reading room that receives about 300 journals from all over the world, a reference library, a science text book library and rooms for art and Bhajan classes. 

British Council Library
The British Council Library is the gateway to a world of opportunity. In addition to the wide range of books at their centres, members can go online and access more than 38,000 books from the comfort of their own home. What’s more because the books are available electronically that means no more waiting for a book to be returned by another member before you can borrow it. So you can enjoy the entire online collection 24 / 7.

Each centre has its own programme of events and workshops, designed to meet the members’ needs. So whether you want to explore the more creative side of your personality, or you wish to develop academically or professionally, or you'd like to improve your English, take an exam or find out how a UK education can help them, they’re here to help you achieve your goals.

Just Books
Just Books clc is a new generation community library chain that provides a unique reading experience to book lovers with a wide range of books for every type of reader Toddlers to teens, Dabblers to Bookworms under a modern, vibrant ambience with effective use of technology.

With over 160,000 books across different categories, Just Books offers a wide range of titles to its members in any age group. Just Books revolutionizes some of the routine book circulation activities of a library by introducing RFID based unmanned kiosks for members to choose a book and check-out from the library without any time consuming manual processing. Started by a team of Retail and Technology professionals, JUST BOOKS clc aspires to be the country's first networked pan Indian community library chain catering to Indian reading requirements. 

Eloor Library
Public libraries had not been able to satisfy the hunger for books that they also had helped create. Plenty of new titles were getting published, but there were only very few readers who could buy the books they wanted. So that’s when Eloor Library was set up and from the beginning Eloor has defined its vocation as providing a truly viable alternative to people who yearn for good books.

Eloor has a wondrous wealth of books in each branch. New Arrivals, Classics, General Fiction, Science Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Children’s Books, Indian Authors, Management, Business, Computer, Self-Help, Biography, Religion, Philosophy, Sports, Cookery etc, etc – the Eloor sections range far and wide.

EasyLib.com
Another popular library in Bangalore is the EasyLib.com in Koramangala. The first of its kind in the city, EasyLib.com is an Internet-enabled circulatory library that provides door delivery services to anywhere in Bangalore.

EasyLib.com has books from science fiction and fantasy, historical fiction, horror to biographies, philosophy, religion and spirituality. There seems to be extra attention being paid to the fairer sex, for the library houses sections like women’s fiction, young women’s literature, Mills & Boon, a lot of books on cookery and biographies of personalities like Madonna and Princess Diana. Academic and technical books though, are not available here. 

Centre for Learning
Centre for Learning, a school in Bangalore has an open library both in concept and reality. This means that there is free and open access to all material and resources, at all times of day and night, and throughout the year. Mutual trust and shared responsibility provide the ground from which this library functions. The rules and conventions of library interaction evolve out of a sense of co-operation, consideration and care for the community as a whole.

The collection in this library reflects the commitment to quality and excellence. Classics both traditional and contemporary can be found on the shelves. Staff and students are actively involved in the selection process. An innovative in-house computer programme ensures that all users can borrow, return, search for, reserve, and conduct other library operations with ease. The facility of borrowing has been extended to former students, parents and guests.

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