Complete List of Government Public Libraries in Bangladesh (All 8 Divisions)

Bangladesh has a network of government-run public libraries spread across all 8 divisions — from the National Library in Dhaka to divisional libraries in Khulna, Barisal, and beyond. Many people do not realise how many of these libraries exist, or that they are free to access.

This is the most complete reference list of government and public libraries in Bangladesh, organised by division.

What Is a Government Public Library in Bangladesh?

A government public library (সরকারি গণগ্রন্থাগার) is a library funded and operated by the national or local government. These include the National Library of Bangladesh, divisional libraries, district-level public libraries (Gono Granthagar), and upazila-level reading rooms. They are free to access for all citizens and are typically registered with the Department of Public Libraries under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

Dhaka Division — 33 Libraries

Dhaka has the largest concentration of libraries in Bangladesh, ranging from the National Library and Bangla Academy to community reading rooms in Mirpur, Lalbagh, and Azimpur.

• National Library of Bangladesh — Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka
• Bangla Academy Library — Shahbagh, Dhaka
• Bishwa Sahitya Kendra (Batighar) — Dhanmondi, Dhaka
• Riddhi Library — Mirpur 11, Dhaka
• Alorghar Library — Mirpur 11.5, Dhaka
• Granthabitan Library — Lalbagh, Dhaka (est. 1952)
• Azad Muslim Public Library — Lalbagh, Dhaka
• Raja Rammohon Roy Library — Patuatuli, Old Dhaka
• Azimpur Estate Janakallyan Samiti Library — Azimpur, Dhaka
• Madaripur Government Public Library — Madaripur
• Islamic Foundation Central Library — Agargaon, Dhaka
• British Council Library — Dhaka (membership may be required)
• BANBEIS Library — Nilkhet, Dhaka

→ See all 33 Dhaka Division libraries

Chattogram Division — 12 Libraries

Chattogram is Bangladesh's second-largest division and has a strong library network in Bangladesh from Chittagong city to district towns like Brahmanbaria and Feni.

• Brahmanbaria Public Library — Kautali, near Faruqi Park
• Bishwa Sahitya Kendra Branch — Jamalkhaan, Chittagong
• Killar Andar Islamic Library — Lohagara, Chattogram

→ See all 12 Chattogram Division libraries

Rajshahi Division — 8 Libraries

Rajshahi Division, home to one of the country's oldest universities, has several government and community libraries.

• Rajshahi Public Library — Rajshahi city
• Shihipur Public Library — Bogra Sadar

→ See all 8 Rajshahi Division libraries

Khulna Division — 9 Libraries

Khulna Division covers a diverse geographic area from the industrial Khulna city to the Sundarbans-adjacent districts.

• Divisional Library Khulna — Baikali, Boyra, Khulna
• Khulna Government Public Library — Khulna
• Jessore Institute Public Library — Jashore
• Manirampur Public Library — Manirampur, Jashore
• World of 71 Public Library and Resource Centre — Manirampur, Jashore

→ See all 9 Khulna Division libraries

Barisal Division — 1 Library Listed

Barisal Division currently has one library verified in our directory — the Divisional Library Barisal — though more exist and we are actively collecting submissions from this region.

• Divisional Library Barisal — Opposite B.M. College Mosque Gate, Barisal

Know a library in Barisal Division? Submit it at publiclibrarybangladesh.vercel.app/add

Sylhet Division — 5 Libraries

Sylhet Division covers Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj, and Sylhet districts. Government-registered libraries here include both public and municipal reading rooms.

• Habiganj Sadar Public Library (Gono Granthagar) — Habiganj Sadar
• Habiganj Paurasabha Pathagar (Municipal Library) — Habiganj Sadar

→ See all 5 Sylhet Division libraries

Rangpur Division — 3 Libraries

Rangpur Division, covering the northern districts of Bangladesh, has a small but growing library presence in our directory.

→ See all 3 Rangpur Division libraries

Mymensingh Division — 7 Libraries

Mymensingh Division has several active libraries including government, public, and Islamic Foundation branches.

• Mymensingh Town Hall Library (Bhasha Shahid M.A. Matin Pathagar) — Town Hall, Mymensingh
• Joynal Abedin Park Free Library — Joynal Abedin Park, Mymensingh
• Mymensingh Government Public Library — Mymensingh
• Islamic Foundation Library Mymensingh — Mymensingh

→ See all 7 Mymensingh Division libraries

How This List Was Made

The data on publiclibrarybangladesh.vercel.app comes from three sources: government records and the Department of Public Libraries, Wikipedia's library records for Bangladesh, and community contributions submitted through our Add a Library form. We verify each entry before publishing.

If you know a government library in Bangladesh not on this list, please submit it at publiclibrarybangladesh.vercel.app/add. We update the directory regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all government libraries in Bangladesh free to enter?

Yes. All government-funded public libraries in Bangladesh are free to access. Some require a simple registration for borrowing books, but entry and reading are open to all.

What are the opening hours?

Most government libraries operate Saturday to Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Hours may vary on government holidays. Check individual library pages on publiclibrarybangladesh.vercel.app for specific hours.

Can I borrow books from a public library?

Yes, most government libraries allow book borrowing after a simple registration process. You will typically need a photo ID and a registration form. See our guide on how to get a library card in Bangladesh for full details.

Browse the full directory →