The state of Gujarat is located in the western part of India. This state has an area of about 196,024 square kilometers (75,685 sq mi) with a coastline of about 1,600 kilometers (990 mi). The state"s area is occupied by a population of over 60 million. Taking care of the education of the masses of Gujarat are boards like the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), about 13 state universities, 4 agricultural universities and the renowned Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad. Apart from these boards and institutions, Gujarat has several libraries, which serve as significant sources of information and wisdom for the students. Some of these institutions of knowledge are public libraries, which are acknowledged by the Government of Gujarat.
Hazrat Pir Mohammad Shah Library
Hazrat Peer Mohammed Shah Library is located at Pir Muhammad Shah Road in Naka near Ahmedabad. This library is quite reputed for its unique collections, which comprise rare manuscripts in Turkish, Sindhi, Arabic and other languages. A noted writer named Professor Mohidduin Bombaywala was the director of this library for a period of 15 years.
Kavi Narmad Central Library
Kavi Narmad Central Library is situated in the region of Surat. This library was constructed during 1991 by the Surat Municipal Corporation at Ghod Dod Road. It was named after the renowned Gujarati poet known as Veer Narmad. This library is spread over an area of about 6, 158 square meters. It has the status of being the biggest library of Gujarat.
Sayaji Vaibhav Public Library Navsari
Said to be amongst the largest local libraries of Gujarat, the Sayaji Vaibhav Public Library is the one and only library of this Indian state which was granted the Late Motibhai Amin Library Award as many as five times by the Government of Gujarat. Presently, this library is computerized and well-equipped with modern software in which book readers can search various books based on their choice of author, title and more. Numerable sections have been added to this library including the Children`s Section, Shri Lallubhai Makanji Patel Gandhian Literature Section, Electronic Library (Audio-visual Section), Chanchalba Women`s Section and Career Corner (which provides essential career information to students and jobseekers). Contests are often held here, to create a bridge of communication between readers and non-readers.
Some of the other libraries in Gujarat are Gyanprapa Circulating Library, SS Mandal Gujarat Library, Ashmi Circulating Library, MJ Library, British Council Library, Naroda Library, Gujarat University Library and Kavi Narmad Central Library.
