A library is a blessing for students who cannot afford to buy all the books they require for their studies. For instance, valuable reference books, encyclopedias and large dictionaries. A number of students prefer to do their studies in quite atmosphere of libraries. History of libraries The Library of Alexandria, in Egypt, was the largest and most significant great library of the ancient world. It functioned as a major center of scholarship from its construction in the 3rd century BC until the Roman conquest of Egypt in 30 BC.
The Library of Celsius in Ephesus, Anatolia, now part of Turkey was built in honor of the Roman Senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. The library was built to store 12,000 scrolls and to serve as a monumental tomb for Celsus.
The library's ruins were hidden under debris of the city of Ephesus that was deserted in early Middle Ages. In 1903, Austrian excavations led to this hidden heap of rubble that had collapsed during an earthquake. The donator's son built the library to honor his father's memory and construction began around 113 or 114. Presently, visitors only see the remains of the library's façade.
Some historical libraries of Karachi are: Max Denso Hall and Library The historic Max Denso Hall and library is located at the corner of Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road and Murad Khan Road in Saddar Town. Denso Hall was constructed in 1886 as the first library for the natives of Karachi. It was built in the honor of Max Denso who chaired Karachi chamber of commerce room from 1870-71. Friends of Max Denso collected Rs 9,000 for the construction of the building. The Municipality allocated the site on Bunder road and provided additional funds. The basic purpose was to provide the facility of a public hall, reading room and library in the Bunder road area.
James Strachan was the architect and the project was completed in 1886. The building included a library and a reading room on the ground floor and a hall on first floor. Local Gizri Sandstone was used in its construction. The architecture is Venetian Gothic in character. It is a style of architecture combining the lancet arches of the Gothic period with Byzantine and Arabic influences. The main road facing side has projected balconies with carved balusters. The clock on the top was a gift from Rao Sahib Ramdas Morarji.
Ghulam Hussain Khaliqdina Hall Library The historical building was built in 1906 to provide literary and recreational facilities to the Karachiites at the cost of Rs 33,000. The major contribution of Rs 18,000 was made by a renowned philanthropist Ghulam Hussain Khaliqdina.
The historical building comprises of a hall and library. The main hall is 95 ft in length and 45 ft wide, and is capable of seating approximately 600 persons. A 10 ft wide veranda runs around the sides of the hall. The architecture of the building based on Palladian style, a European style of architecture derived from and inspired by the designs of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580).
The entrance is reached through a structure consisting of roof-supported columns at regular intervals, typically attached as porch to a building. In addition, is topped by a domineering triangular pediment (upper part of the front of a building in classical style) displaying the name and construction date of the building.
The building hall has a historical significance in the history of subcontinent. During the year 1921, The Jauhar brothers Moulana Mohammad Ali Johar and Moulana Shukat Ali were arrested and charged for making fiery and impassioned speeches in favor of Khilafat Movement. The trial of the Johar brothers was held in the Khaliqdina Hall and become known as the trial of sedition.
Liaquat National Memorial Library The Liaquat Memorial Library (LML) had been founded in commemoration of the late Liaquat Ali Khan's services to the nation. Formerly called, National Library of Pakistan is located at Stadium Road in Karachi. The library has been quenching the thirst of knowledge seekers for over the past 50 years. It comprises of a huge collection of 200,000 (10,000 of which are rare), books on Urdu and English literature, politics, science, history, culture, arts, economics.
The making of this library has an interesting history. In 1953, a proposal was made by the trustees of the Liaquat Memorial Library to amalgamate it with the National Library (NL). The Government of Pakistan agreed to this proposal and gave effect to the decision in January 1954. Consequently the collection of the National Library was transferred to the Merewether Tower where the LML had exists. The newly amalgamated library was now re-named the Liaquat National Library (LNL). The LNL continued to be used in this building for nearly a decade until 1964 when it moved to a rented residential bungalow at 34-J/6 PECHS, Karachi.
Meanwhile, the government remained conscious of the importance of a permanent building for the LNL. A proposal for the construction of such a building was submitted in 1957 on the basis of which preliminary designs were prepared in 1959 by. A.A Mirza, Senior Architect of the Pakistan Public Works Department. Finally the Development Plan of the Library found its overdue place in the Second Five Year Plan for 1960-65 and the Economic Committee of the Cabinet gave its approval to the expenditure of Rs 2.73 million in September 1960. The design of the new building was finally approved in early 1965 and construction began in June of that year. In January 1969 the new building became operational.
The library entertains approximately 1,000 students daily. Last year, Lincoln Corner was inaugurated by the US ambassador to Pakistan David Hale. The corner offers a children's space, meeting room, computer facilities, a performance area, and a collection of books, magazines, and DVDs.
Ghalib Library
To commemorate famous poet Ghalib's 100th birthday eminent scholars Mirza Zafarul Hasan and legendry poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz established Ghalib library in 1968. Soon after its opening in 1970 the library, become a meeting point for intellectuals, artists, and writers in Karachi. Zafar-ul-Hasan had asked all the prominent figures to join in and scholars from upcountry and India, too, used to visit the library. The library is situated near the Nazimabad underpass. The two-storey spacious structure was built by Habib Bank.
It now has a rich collection of over 40,000 books mostly donated by book lovers. The library also has an unenviable collection of pre-partition magazines era targeting women such as Tehzeeb, literary magazines such as Seep and Nuqoosh, and vintage illustrated Shahnama-e-Firdousi, Tilism-e-Hoshruba, Alif Laila amongst its set of rare books. collection of letters written by such literary luminaries as Marxist intellectual Sibte Hasan, Ghalib scholar Ralph Russell, playwright Syed Imtiaz Ali Taj, poet Josh Maleehabadi, scholar and Congress leader Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and many more.
British Council Library Last year British Council reopened the library after a break of 15 years. The library is located at British Deputy High Commission, British Council, Shahra-e-Iran, Clifton Block 5. It is open to members. Non-members will be able to visit by pre-registering for special events. Young people between the ages of 11 and 17 can apply to become members through the family membership scheme. With family membership (2 adults and 4 young people), a young member can come and go from the British Council Library unaccompanied.
It has over 10,500 books, which includes an extensive selection of graphic novels, fiction and non-fiction. There is an extensive array of English language learning resources, as well as a wide range of books on diverse subjects including law, business, science and arts. The library allows the users to borrow books. Members are allowed to checkout five books at a time for a maximum of three weeks. iPads, computers, printers and scanners are available on-site for use by members. Members will also be able to bring their own laptops and iPads for use in the library. Both libraries are WiFi equipped.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017