• Index of this issue

No. 55, March 2006 Special topic: Features in the library building/facilitiy

The Building of the National Library of Bangladesh (NLB) was planned and built from a National Library point of view. It is now considered as one of the architectural monuments of the country.

Bangladesh came into being in world map in 1971 after a pool of blood. It was a long desired aspiration of the people of this territory (the then East Pakistan) to uphold the self identity of as a separate nation in world community. This was one of the root causes for the emergence of Bangladesh. The people’s aspiration was reflected in the thought and plan of the policy makers of newborn country. As a result despite of multi-dimensional financial constraints of the newly formed government, a plan for the construction of a modern building for the National Library was included in the country’s ever first Five Year Plan 1973-78.  Accordingly the foundation stone of NLB building was laid down in 1978 by the then Education Advisor of the government.

The NLB building popularly known as Jatiya Granthagar Bhavan is located at Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, the North West part of Dhaka city. This part is well known as the second capital of the country. As per the master plan of Dhaka city, the major Government Key Point Installations (KPI) i.e. National Broadcasting Building, National Assembly Bhavan etc. are also located in the area. This zone is comparatively of high land and environment friend of the city. The building is far from flood zone. It is on 2.36 acre having 1,04,880 sft.  plinth and 61,555 sft. carpet area. What the unique and salient feature of the building is it is embedded with the largest painting of the country in its of inside front wall. The building was built with red ceramic brick and its outlook is excellent. There are sufficient open space in its surrounding having plenty of green trees and flower garden in its front premises.

The National Library Building

The building is divided by following two sections

1. Stack Block
2. Reading Hall cum Office Block

The most interesting feature of the building is its single shape outlook. Stack block is separately constructed from the Reading Hall cum Office Block but does not seem separate construction at all. There are seven level of stack block which is surrounded by three storied Reading Hall cum Office block. There are four block in each level of stack. The wall and roof of the building is comparatively thick which is helpful in resisting both cold and heat wave.

The NLB building was provided with almost all components normally required for modern library activities and Services. The Building at present has the following facilities:

1. Centrally Air-conditioned Stack block
2. Air Conditioned Microfilm and Automation unit
3. One large size Exhibition Gallery
4. 300 Seated Air-conditioned Auditorium having separate entrance and other utilities
5. Modern lift for users and officials
6. Separate Stair, one lift and inter block connection passage for 7 level stacks
7. 2 stairs for the Reading cum Office block
8. Well equipped Check-in and check-out counter
9. Front desk information counter
10. Six Reading Halls
11. Reading facilities in stack block with sufficient number of Carroll tables
12. Sufficient Lighting and Ventilation arrangement
13. Separate Fumigation and Binding unit
14. Double locking steel door system in each stack room
15. Sufficient concealed electrical wiring
16. Temperature and humidity control system
17. Regular monitoring system for maintenance by the PWD of central Govt.
18. The building is always damp free
19. Separate power House
20. Separate room for the building security personnel.