HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH

BENGALURU

STATE CENTRAL LIBRARY

Nestled in the green-scape of Cubbon Park, stands tall a Pompeian red colonial structure exuding architectural grandeur. This happens to be one of the signature iconic buildings that epitomises the essence of garden city Bengaluru. It is the State Central Library (SCL). The library was started in the year 1966 but the building is supposed to have been constructed way back in 1906. It was built in memory of Diwan Sir Seshadri Iyer, Diwan of Mysore. It is said that the library building was built with public subscriptions of over a lakh rupees. In November 1966, the library was taken over by Karnataka government and changed to a reference library.

SCL, bedecked with a beautiful rose garden around its periphery, inside adorns high walls with floor-height book shelves. Authorities say there are approximately three lakh books and 240 periodicals covering most Indian languages. But it is not a lending library. Open to public, it is only for consultation of documents within its premises. But the collection is rare and rich. According to the State Department of Public Libraries, SCL has a copy of every book published in Karnataka after 1970. There are books on various subjects including literature, science and social sciences. A few racks also contain books in other languages like Hindi, Urdu, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. One often finds people reading newspapers in the gallery. Apart from the Kannada and English dailies, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Malayalam and Hindi newspapers are also available for reference. There is a separate periodical section where readers can go through innumerable magazines. SCL also has a Braille collection.

SCL is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 9 am and 7 pm. Situated opposite a beautiful rose garden, this library is definitely a reader's paradise.

State Central Library,

Cubbon Park, Opp. Vidhana Soudha,

Bangalore ? 560001.

JRD TATA MEMORIAL LIBRARY

This one is for the science aficionados. Situated in the premises of the prestigious Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, JRD Tata Memorial Library is regarded as one of the best and the finest scientific and technical libraries in India. It was established in 1911 and was originally named The Library of the Indian Institute of Science. It was only in 1995 that it was renamed. The National Board for Higher Mathematics has recognized this library as Regional Centre for Mathematics and continues to give special grant. The library aims to serve as a resource centre for scholars, faculty of the institute and the science community at large. The collection includes books, journals, reports and patents, making it one of the richest in the country in the field of science, engineering and technology. Apart from the 1,87,000 books that occupy the shelves, the library focuses predominantly on research journals and documents (about 1500 title subscriptions) that it constantly updates. The rich and valuable collection built over 100 years has some of the rarest reference materials. The library's reservoir of knowledge is estimated to be worth Rs 400 crore. Open on all days, it is a lending library.

JRD Tata Memorial Library

Indian Institute of Science,

IISc Campus,

Bengaluru ? 560012

Ph: (080) 22932407/22933012

BRITISH COUNCIL LIBRARY

Established in 1960, the British Council Library is an institution in Bengaluru. Fostering a cultural link between Indian and United Kingdom, the library's membership is simply a must for any Bengalurean bent on the literary side. It ain't a quaint, dusty, ancient and overwhelming library of the British raj. British library is extremely savvy and up to date. It is modelled on the lines of public libraries in London. After having changed locations, it now resides in a quiet bylane of posh Lavelle Road with another entrance through Kasturba Road. The shelves stock books on practically every topic under the sun ? fiction, science and technology, history, economics, engineering, law, management and medicine. The assortment under English literature is but of course exhaustive and impressive. The library is perfect if you are looking at English as a language, literature, fiction and history. You can also lay your hands on UK periodicals. There is also a special department to help all those looking for education in Britain. British Library is open from Monday to Saturday 10.30 am to 6.30 pm.

British Council Library

23, Prestige Taqt,

Kasturba Road

Bangalore ? 560001.

Ph: (080) 22489220