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Questions and Answers
When was the National Library of India officially transferred to the Ministry of Culture?
When was the National Library of India officially transferred to the Ministry of Culture?
Who donated his personal library of 80,000 books to the Calcutta Public Library?
Who donated his personal library of 80,000 books to the Calcutta Public Library?
In which year did the Imperial Library relocate from The Esplanade to Belvedere Estate?
In which year did the Imperial Library relocate from The Esplanade to Belvedere Estate?
Who presided over the ceremony when the National Library of India officially opened to the public?
Who presided over the ceremony when the National Library of India officially opened to the public?
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By what name was the library known after India's independence in 1947 according to the text?
By what name was the library known after India's independence in 1947 according to the text?
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Which Act changed the name of the National Library to 'National Library of India'?
Which Act changed the name of the National Library to 'National Library of India'?
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According to the passage, what is the total number of items in the National Library of India's collection?
According to the passage, what is the total number of items in the National Library of India's collection?
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Which of the following is NOT mentioned as part of the National Library of India's collection?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as part of the National Library of India's collection?
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What historical discovery was made during the library's restoration efforts in 2010?
What historical discovery was made during the library's restoration efforts in 2010?
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Under which Act is the National Library of India designated to receive publications?
Under which Act is the National Library of India designated to receive publications?
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Which of the following statements about the National Library of India's location is TRUE?
Which of the following statements about the National Library of India's location is TRUE?
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Which of the following statements about the National Library of India's services is FALSE?
Which of the following statements about the National Library of India's services is FALSE?
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Study Notes
National Library of India
The National Library of India, located in the historic Belvedere Estate in Kolkata, is the largest national library in the country. Established in 1836 as the Calcutta Public Library and later transformed into the Imperial Library in 1891, the library became the National Library of India in 1953 when it was officially transferred to the Ministry of Culture.
History
Initially, the library began as a private collection owned by individuals like Governor-General Lord Wellesley and Rev. Dr. Henry Martyn. In 1832, Bishop Heber of Calcutta collected books from these sources to form what would eventually become the nucleus of the Calcutta Public Library. Over time, the library grew significantly through various acquisitions, including the collection of Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, who donated his personal library of 80,000 books in 1910.
After India's independence in 1947, the Imperial Library was renamed as the National Library by the Imperial Library (Change of Name) Act, 1948. During this period, it relocated from The Esplanade to Belvedere Estate and opened to the public on 1 February 1953 at a ceremony presided over by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Later, the name was changed again to National Library of India through Section 18 of the National Library of India Act, 1976.
The library has an impressive collection of various materials, including books, journals, newspapers, magazines, sound and music recordings, patents, databases, maps, stamps, prints, drawings, and manuscripts, totaling more than 2.5 million items. It also holds numerous special collections, such as the Hindi department's early printed works dating back to the nineteenth century and rare manuscripts.
Collections
The National Library of India collects material published within India and work produced by foreign authors wherever they are published, in any language. Its extensive holdings include titles in virtually all Indian languages, breaking down into 86,000 maps and 3,200 manuscripts. The library even houses previously unknown materials and undiscovered historical treasures like a secret room discovered in 2010 during restoration efforts.
Services
As one of the four designated libraries entitled to receive publications under the Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act, 1954, the National Library serves as a permanent depository of all reading and printed materials produced in India. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, it continues to offer its vast treasure of books, magazines, and journals not only to researchers and scholars but also to lay readers.
To accommodate changing circumstances, the library introduced an online registration process where citizens beyond 18 years of age can become members without restrictions based on location. Additionally, the library utilizes social media platforms like Facebook Page, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram to reach out to users.
Location
The National Library sits on Belvedere Road in Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, within the historic Belvedere Estate. Access to the library is provided between 9 am and 8 pm on all working days and from 9.30 am to 6 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and government holidays.
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Description
Learn about the rich history and impressive collections of the National Library of India, from its origins as the Calcutta Public Library to its vast holdings of books, manuscripts, maps, and more. Explore how the library has evolved over time and the services it provides to researchers and readers alike.
