Around 200,000 books at Bangla Motor. Sit and read for free, or pay a refundable deposit and take books home.
Bishwo Shahitto Kendro was founded in 1978 to get people reading, and it is best known for the book-reading programme it runs in schools and colleges across the country and for the mobile libraries that carry books into neighbourhoods. Its own central library sits in the Kendro's building at Bangla Motor.
The collection has grown to roughly 200,000 books, and about 10,000 readers use the stacks and the reading hall each year. There are two ways to use it: sit and read in the reading room, which costs nothing, or become a member and borrow books to read at home.
Membership is a separate thing from membership of the Kendro itself. You fill in a form, bring a passport-size photograph, and leave a refundable security deposit — you may borrow books up to the value of that deposit. On top of it there is a small monthly subscription. Books go out for two weeks and can be renewed for another two on request.
Libraries
English-language books, DVDs and IELTS material on the Dhaka University campus, with digital library access for members.
Dhaka University campus, Dhaka
Saturday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
From ৳1,000
DetailsA library, study space and MakerLab on Gulshan Avenue, with advising for students applying to American universities.
Gulshan, Dhaka
Saturday – Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
৳1,000
DetailsThe Alliance Française library in Dhanmondi: around 7,500 books in French, English and Bangla, plus films, music and a French digital library.
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
From ৳1,000
Details