National Library

The National Library, Kolkata is located on the Belvedere Estate in Alipore. It is the largest library in India by volume and India’s library of public records. The library initially was known as the Imperial Library during the British rule. Later, after independence, the Government of India changed the name as the National Library and also shifted it from The Esplanade to the present Belvedere Estate.

The library is huge and holds 2.2 million books in different languages. The Library is not only a public reading space but also sees numerous important functioning of the country relating to the press and the books. The library is designated to preserve, collect and disseminate printed material produced in India. It holds the prestige of being the “Depository Library” and “Repository Library” of India.