Defining the most beautiful libraries goes beyond their primary function of providing free and limitless access to knowledge. These institutions stand out for their unique role as hubs of community connection and cultural enrichment. Their appeal is woven into the fabric of society, offering not only resources but also serving as inspiring spaces for learning and engagement.
Experience India’s top 10 libraries, where remarkable architecture and history combine with an inspiring collection of books.Â
Connemara Public Library in Chennai
The Connemara Public Library in Chennai, designed by H. Irving in 1896, is a prime example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, blending Gothic-Byzantine, Rajput Mughal, and Southern Hindu Deccani styles. Its iconic red façade, elliptical semi-circular end, and intricate details like the stained-glass windows and Acanthus-leaf-adorned marble slabs showcase the grandeur of 19th-century craftsmanship. The library’s main hall is particularly impressive with its truncated wooden roof and colorful glass, casting a vibrant light throughout the space.
To meet modern demands, a new three-storey building was added in 1973, housing amenities such as a video room, Braille section, and an IAS study center. Today, the library is a UN depository, holding over 850,000 books in multiple languages. Renovations in 2006 further preserved this architectural gem, ensuring it remains both a cultural and educational landmark in Chennai.
Town Hall (Asiatic Society) in Mumbai
The Asian Society of Mumbai or Town Hall Mumbai is one of the city’s most iconic libraries. Restored to its former glory, the library boasts a collection of over 1,00,000 books, including rare treasures like a 14th-century manuscript of Dante’s Divine Comedy and a 16th-century Sanskrit manuscript of Mahabharata. It also holds ancient texts in Persian, Prakrit, and Urdu.
Built in 1833 by Colonel Thomas Cowper, the town hall is an impressive example of neo-classical architecture in Mumbai. The 200-foot-long white façade features a grand flight of 30 steps leading to a Grecian portico supported by elegant Doric columns. Inside, the library showcases intricate design elements, from Burma teak floors and bookshelves to wrought-iron spiral staircases. Statues, busts, and portraits of notable figures from the 19th century add to its historical charm. With skylights that flood the space with natural light, the Town Hall, overlooking the Horniman Circle Gardens, stands as a proud architectural landmark and a testament to Mumbai’s rich heritage.
The Raza Library ( Nawab Faizullah Khan of Rampur,)
The Raza Library in Rampur, originally established in 1774 by Nawab Faizullah Khan, is a treasure trove of Indo-Islamic heritage. Housed in the stunning Hamid Manzil since 1957, the library’s architecture reflects a blend of Islamic, Hindu, and Victorian Gothic styles, a hallmark of the Indo-Saracenic movement. Designed by W.C. Wright, the mansion boasts high domes, turrets, and grand Durbar halls with gold-adorned canopied ceilings. The fusion of architectural styles is further highlighted by the presence of Italian sculptures, symbolizing the library’s cultural and artistic diversity.
The library holds an impressive collection of over 60,000 printed books and 3,000 Islamic calligraphy specimens, along with rare manuscripts and texts from Mecca, Medina, Egypt, and Iran. This vast collection, curated by the Nawab and expanded by his successors, showcases the princely state’s commitment to preserving Indo-Islamic literary and cultural heritage. The intricate architecture and the priceless literary treasures make the Raza Library not only a center of knowledge but also a remarkable architectural landmark in India.
Bangalore’s State Central Library
Bangalore’s State Central Library stands as one of the city’s most cherished heritage landmarks, instantly recognizable by its vibrant red-brick exterior and the graceful, curved two-tier central hall. Nestled within the serene surroundings of Cubbon Park, far from the city’s bustling streets, the library is framed by a charming rose garden that adds to its old-world charm.
This grand institution is the largest library in Karnataka, boasting an extensive collection of over 3.14 million books, including a copy of every book ever published in the state—a testament to its cultural and literary significance. Established in 1915, the building’s design reflects the European architectural influences that were prevalent in many institutional structures of the British colonial era.
The architecture is both elegant and functional, with the building’s curved end featuring a series of beautifully arched windows. These windows, framed in rich, dark green teak wood, lend a classic appeal to the structure. Inside, the library’s design is subtle, opting for an understated aesthetic without excessive ornamentation. However, the space is still striking due to its impressive double-height ceiling and barrel-vaulted roof, which adds an undeniable grandeur to the interiors.
Allahabad Public Library, Uttar Pradesh
The Allahabad Public Library, also known as the Thornhill Mayne Memorial, is the largest library in Uttar Pradesh and an important cultural institution. It houses an impressive collection of approximately 125,000 books, making it a literary treasure trove in the region. Beyond just books, the library offers an extensive selection of magazines and newspapers in multiple languages, including Hindi, English, Urdu, and Bangla, and is home to 21 rare Arabic manuscripts. It also preserves valuable historical documents like old government publications, parliamentary papers, and blue books dating back to the 19th century, highlighting its role in archiving India’s administrative and political history.
Built-in 1870, the library is a stunning example of Scottish Baronial architecture, a style seldom seen in Indian heritage structures. Designed by British architect Richard Roskell Bayne, its striking design sets it apart with sharp, pointed pillars and decorative turrets, all crafted from granite and sandstone. These elements give the building a fortress-like appearance, reminiscent of medieval Scottish castles. This unique architectural style not only adds to the building’s aesthetic appeal but also reflects the eclectic influences that shaped Indian architecture during British rule.
David Sassoon Library Cultural District of Mumbai
The David Sassoon Library, located in the heart of Mumbai’s cultural district in Fort, is a haven for literature lovers, surrounded by the city’s grand museums and art galleries. Built in 1870, this Gothic revival structure was funded by the Jewish philanthropist David Sassoon, in whose honor the library is named. The library holds historical significance, as it is famously known as the place where Dr. B.R. Ambedkar penned the final draft of the Indian Constitution.
The building itself is a remarkable example of Venetian-style Gothic architecture, characterized by its high, pointed gables and pinnacles on the roof. The first-floor verandah is lined with intricately detailed iron balustrades, adding to the building’s elegance.
Architects J. Campbell and G.E. Gosling designed the structure using the distinctive yellow Malad stone, lending the building its warm, golden hue. A white stone bust of David Sassoon sits proudly above the entrance portico, welcoming visitors into this historic space. Inside, the library’s vintage charm is unmistakable. The library is home to over 45,000 books, including rare treasures like a 1978 collection of letters written to Queen Anne by her secretary.
State Central Library of Kerala
The State Central Library of Kerala, commonly known as the Trivandrum Public Library, holds a special place in the history of India, as it is recognized as the first public library in the country. Its origins trace back to 1829, during the reign of the visionary King Swathi Thirunal of Travancore. Although its initial location changed a few times in the early years, it found a permanent home in its current structure in 1900.
The present-day library building is an architectural marvel, constructed by His Highness Sree Moolam Thirunal in honor of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The red brick structure, designed in the striking Gothic style, is an iconic landmark in Kerala’s capital city of Thiruvananthapuram (formerly Trivandrum). Its historical significance, combined with its architectural beauty, makes it a cherished part of the state’s cultural heritage.
The library has evolved into a vast repository of knowledge, now housing over five lakh (500,000) books and subscribing to around 300 periodicals. From rare historical manuscripts to modern literary works, the library has something for everyone.
Yogananda Library building in Shoolini University Solan
The Yogananda Library at Shoolini University in Solan is a striking example of architecture blending seamlessly with its natural surroundings. This four-storey structure is more than just a place to house books; it’s an architectural experience shaped by the dynamic interplay of solid and void, a theme cleverly extended from its bookshelves into the very planning of the building itself.
Positioned thoughtfully on the hilly terrain, the library follows the natural contours of the land, creating a sense of interconnectedness between the built environment and its geography. The heart of the design lies in the central courtyard, which brings light, air, and openness into the building. A shaded staircase winds along the side, offering access to all floors, providing not only practical circulation but also encouraging moments of pause to enjoy the views.
The choice of colors adds to this vibrancy. While the bookshelves are rendered in a muted grey, the circulation spaces are painted in a bright yellow, introducing an unexpected burst of energy and freshness into the space. Perhaps the most visually arresting feature of the Yogananda Library is its entrance facade. It is designed in two layers: the outer facade, which conceals a criss-cross pattern of structural columns, and the inner facade, which integrates bookshelves into the design itself.
Lilavati Lalbhai Library, Ahmedabad
Rahul Mehrotra’s design for the Lilavati Lalbhai Library transcends its striking louvered facade, offering much more than a visual statement. Inspired by the philosophical foundations of the School and its founder, BV Doshi, the library stands as a bold reimagining of academia for the future. Spanning an impressive 31,000 square meters, the structure is intentionally positioned at depths of -4m and -8m, thoughtfully integrating with its surroundings and making a statement about its context.
The library’s layout features an open-plan design, using solid concrete mass to create a sense of permanence and strength. Entrances on all four sides emphasize accessibility, allowing visitors to flow freely through the space. This thoughtful approach also considers the region’s extreme climatic conditions, ensuring comfort in all seasons.
The louvered windows, designed to be manually adjusted, allow natural light to flood the space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Inside, the library is a blend of purpose and innovation, with dedicated reading rooms, exhibition areas, private carrels, administrative offices, and seminar halls, all contributing to a modern, dynamic space tailored to the architectural community.
Maya Somaiya Library Kopargaon, Maharashtra
The design of Shri Sharda School’s library, crafted by SP+A, is a striking reimagining of the iconic Catalan vault. Nestled between two buildings, the parametric roof spans 5750 square feet, constructed with three layers of 20mm brick tiles and secured by mortar to support a remarkable 140 tonnes of self-weight. This innovative structure, developed by the Block Research Group at ETH Zurich, is an exploration of the compressive and tensile capacities of the Catalan vault, pushing the boundaries of material efficiency and structural integrity.
The entrance is designed to seamlessly integrate with the roof’s form, while also channeling natural light into the interior. Inside, the space is tailored to foster an engaging, informal atmosphere, with seating arrangements that encourage users to spend time immersed in the library’s dynamic architectural framework. This is more than just a library; it’s a space that balances functionality, sustainability, and a deep connection to its surroundings.
