List of LIbraries in Mumbai

The American Centre in Churchgate has organised a lecture – Librarians in the 21st Century: The Future of the Profession, conducted by Steven Kerchoff, information resource officer with the U S Embassy in New Delhi, on March 11 .Intrigued by the subject, we set out looking for spaces dedicated to the world of books. And we’re thrilled to note that libraries in the city remain unfazed by their bitter rivals: TV, film and Internet. In fact, from tattered paper slips to computerised documentation, book repositories in the city are an intrinsic part of the city culture.

Here are five book havens worth a read

 TheAmericanLibrary, Churchgate

The quaint library is one of the divisions of the American Centre at Churchgate. It conducts many activities aimed at promoting a better understanding of the policies, values, institutions and culture of the United States. The library maintains a collection of approximately 13, 000 books, 165 magazines and newspapers and electronic resources, all of which focus primarily on the U S foreign policy, business and economics, management, human rights, law and legislation in the U S.

Membership fees: free entry for references. Only an adult resident of Mumbai can obtain membership with a fee of Rs 400 for a year and Rs 700 for two years. Membership also includes free Internet surfing.

 Timings: 10 a m to 6 p m (Monday to Friday)

Call: 2626 24590 (Ext: 2204)

Asiatic Library, CST

The wooden floor and curved staircases lead you to the most enchanting heritage library in the city. The aim of the library, built in 1804, is: “To promote useful knowledge particularly connected with India” The aim is still relevant in this library that houses a collection of 800,000 antique volumes.

 Membership fees: life and annual membership for Rs 10,000 and Rs 1,000 respectively.

Timings: 10.30 a m to 6 p m

Call: 2266 0956 / 2266 5139

NationalLibrary,Bandra

Built in 1917, the National Library situated on the first floor of a dingy building at Bandra Talao is one of the few libraries with a wealth of regional literature including novels in Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati. It is also stacked with the regular English novels and reference books.

Membership fees: quarterly – Rs 90, in addition to a deposit of Rs 500 and an entrance fee of Rs 25.

Timings: 8 a m to 7. 45 p m, 8 a m to 12 p m on Saturdays. (Closed on Sunday)

 Call: 2642 5093

 David Sassoon Library and Reading Room, Fort

Built in 1847, this library is home to works by authors ranging from P G Wodehouse, Vladimir Nabokov, Marion Chesney to Dan Brown. The building was recently restored by the Kala Ghoda committee. The reading hall remains a favourite study area with CA and law students. It is also probably the only standalone library with a backyard lawn.

 Membership fees:

patron association for Rs 15,000, life association for Rs 10,000 and ordinary association for Rs 2200. (Yearly fees Rs 1200 + deposit Rs 750 plus entrance fee Rs 250)

Timings:

10 a m to 9 p m (open on all days) But books are issued only between Monday and Friday, 10 a m to 6 p m. On Saturday, books will be issued between 10 a m and 2 p m.

 Call: 2284 3703

NCPA Library, Nariman Point

This reference library located on the first floor of the Little Theatre building in the NCPA campus is popular with the performance arts fraternity in the city.

It is stacked with approximately 20, 000 books dedicated to music, dance, theatre, film, art and photography. Although the emphasis lies in promoting Indian art, there are enough books on world art as well. Membership fees: free for members of the performance arts circle. Others can access the library at Rs 25 per annum. (Membership opens on April 1.)

Timings: 10 a m to 6 p m (closed on weekends and public holidays)

Call: 6622 3715 / 16

URL: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=07_03_2008_543_002&typ=0&pub=264