I just want to know when the library will re-open after the COVID-19 lockdown. Many are asking for this information to return the books they have taken earlier. Please announce here or inform all members about the re-opening of the library.

I used to visit this library for referring the old Bhavans Journal published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, for some articles. Recently they have provided a digital version of all the Bhavans Journal issues starting from the first issue till 2016. It is now easy to search and retrieve any article published in Bhavans Journal. Thanks to the library team for providing this digital version. One request is if you can make it available for a fee, it will be a great help to people in far away places also.

This library, located next to Wilson College is ideal for those who are interested in research. It has a large collection of books that can be of interest to students, professionals and all age groups.

Bhavans Library is one of the oldest public libraries in Mumbai with a great collection of books and also a Reading Room facility. It is very conveniently located at Grant Road, just ten minutes from the station.

Bhavans Library has a unique collection of Gujarati literature like Fiction, Non-fiction, Drama, Poetry, Essays, Biographies, translated works, etc. Those interested in Gujarati books, The Bhavans library is like a treasure....

I visited Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai in January 2020. I was not aware of and had no intention to visit their library. I went straight to the bookstall on the basement to purchase a copy of the book titled ‘Our Heritage’ by Swami Siddhinathananda, published by Bhavans. It was my bad luck that the book was out of print. But the manager of the bookstall was very helpful. He suggested that there would be a copy of the book in the Bhavan’s library and I could get a Xerox, if they permitted. I went to the main building and searched for the library. No board was seen anywhere, so I went back to the bookstall. He took me to the third floor of the main building and showed me the library.It was very spacious. Few elderly people were sitting and reading newspapers and magazines. The Newspaper stand had a dozen newspapers and the Magazine racks had a list of some 50 magazines. Very few book shelves were seen while entering. I thought may be the library was a small one, meant only for the internal use. After crossing half the distance towards the librarian who was sitting at the far end, I looked around and was totally surprised! It was not a small library at all. I saw rows of shelves touching the roof in that “L” shaped room till the far end.Approaching the librarian, I narrated my intention of visiting the library. After doing some search in the computer, she announced, “Yes. We have a copy”.I felt little relaxed and asked, “Do you have the complete list of books in the computer?”“Not in the computer. Our system is now on Koha and the complete catalogue is available online for anyone to search” said the librarian.“You have a website also? I didn’t know that.” Said I.“Yes Sir. We have two websites. bhavanslibrary.org for general information about the library and bhavanslibrary.com for Koha catalogue” she explained.“Can I get this Xeroxed? ” I asked at last.“Total 300 pages. Per page will cost you 50 paise. Each page on a separate sheet may be expensive. But if you allow two pages on one sheet, then you can get it by paying half the price, Rs.75/- .” she explained.“I will go for that” I agreed immediately.“Ravi, please check whether there is enough paper in the tray of the printer. I am going to print 150 pages.” She called and instructed another library staff.“Are you not taking a Xerox of the book? Are you going to print it from a soft copy? In that case why waste paper, give me the soft copy” I suggested.“Unfortunately no. We cannot give the soft copy. Then people may distribute it freely on the internet. We do not want that to happen.” She explained.“Do you have all out of print books published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan as soft copy?” I enquired.“Yes. But not all. We are in the process of converting all such books in to soft copy” she said with a smile.“In future, if I want any out of print Bhavan’s books, I will write to you. Will you be able to send it through courier? I am coming from Pune” I enquired.“Why not, provided you are ready to bear the courier expense.” She explained again with a smile.“How many books you have in total here? 25 thousand? I just made a general enquiry.“More than 60,000 books are there.” She said.“In this place?” I expressed my doubt.“Not here alone. On the other side of the floor and in the basement also.”“What types of books are there in your collection?”“Mainly on Indology, Indian History, Biography, Indian Philosophy, Hinduism and a very good collection of Sanskrit Language and literature.”“All are in English?Yes. At the same time we have a good collection of Gujarati books also”“What about new books?”“Every year, regularly we buy new books in English and Gujarati. Because we have a lot of Gujarati readers.”By that time she completed printing and I checked all the pages. A nice job.While leaving the premises, with a Xerox copy of the book in my hand, I was a little puzzled; such a beautiful library, having a lot of valuable collection and having dedicated staff, but yet they have not put a sign-board outside. I wondered why.

Great Library. But only for Bhavans Student.

Reading Room is only used in exam time.

Friends! Tired of sitting at home because of Corona? Then visit bhavanslibrary.org! Their online book catalog will open the door to a rich library for you. You can also get information about Sanskrit, Prakrit, ancient, modern, historical as well as literary books in English, Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi through mobile. Then what are you waiting for! Visit now and get rich! Books are waiting for you!