The state of Goa is located in the south-western part of India. It was ranked the best placed state by the Eleventh Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population, based on 12 indicators. According to the 2011 census, Goa has a literacy rate of about 87%, with 90% of males and 84% of females being literate. Taking care of the education of the masses of Goa are boards and institutions like Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education and Goa University, respectively. Apart from these boards and institutions, Goa has several libraries, which serve as significant sources of information and wisdom for the students. Some of the libraries of Goa are Goa State Central Library, Goa University Library, Bookworm Children`s Library, Chowgule College Library and Dr. Francisco Luis Gomes District Library.
Goa State Central Library
Goa State Central Library was established on 15th of September, 1832 under the name "Publica Livraria." A person named Dom Manuel de Portugal e Castro is credited with the establishment of this library. It is considered to be the oldest public library in India. This library is managed by Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa and is headed by a curator. This library holds a collection belonging to the pre-liberation period, comprising mainly of books and journals in Portuguese, French, Latin, English and a very few books in local languages like Konkani and Marathi. More specifically, the total pre-liberation collection of this library has been estimated about 40,000 volumes.
Goa University Library
Goa University Library is another significant library of the state of Goa. It was established on 30th of June, 1985. This library serves as a home to a collection of about 140,000 books and 300 journals. Its special collections involve the Nuno Gonsalves collection, the Dr. Carmo Azavedo collection and about 5000 books, particularly on Indo-Portuguese history and culture, donated by the late Dr. P.S.S. Pissurlekar. This library also houses rare antiquities and manuscripts. Since 1996, Goa University Library has been designated as a repository library of the United Nations publications.
Bookworm Children`s Library
Bookworm Children`s Library is located in the locality of Taleigao near the city of Panaji. This library is dedicated to children of all ages and abilities. Creative activities and reading are conducted in this library. This library organizes a pre-school program, an adult art program and workshops for both children and parents. It also encourages book discussions and formation of a needlecraft group.
Chowgule College Library
Chowgule College Library is the library of the famous Chowgule College, located in the city of Margao. It houses a huge collection of about 65,000 books encompassing every stream of knowledge. Reading rooms, orientation and information support, electronic services, access catalogue and many other facilities are also provided by the library to the readers.
Dr Francisco Luis Gomes District Library
Dr Francisco Luis Gomes District Library is a significant library of South Goa district. It was established on 21st of November, 2010. This library is managed and funded by the Government of Goa. Spanning over an area of about 8000 square meters, Dr Francisco Library constitutes five floors and provides various facilities to the users. It houses a vast collection of about 40,000 books in various languages, in addition to newspapers and periodicals.
