Libraries in Kolkata, West Bengal, are the significant part of society and greatly illuminate as well as enrich the socio-cultural heritage of the state. They provide a huge knowledge base to the people of the city along with forming important research and learning centres. The city of Kolkata houses a number of libraries which have been enriched gradually through the efforts of Government as well as people. These libraries house abundant collection of printed books, manuscripts, journals, magazines, periodicals, newspapers and many other reading materials that serve numerous sections of the society with varied needs. These libraries have also preserved a number of rare, old and unique literatures of the world.

National Library of India
National Library of India, situated in Belvedere Road of Kolkata, is the largest Indian public library by volume. It is governed by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and makes much effort for collecting, preserving and disseminating the plethora of printed materials in India. It hosts a collection of about 2.2 million books. The library is enlisted amongst four depository libraries in the country where the publishers need to supply all the books published in India under The Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act, 1954. It is also credited as the only Category 6 library of India. The formation of National Library can be traced back to 1835 with the establishment of Calcutta Public Library.

Kolkata Little Magazine Library and Research Centre
Kolkata Little Magazine Library and Research Centre is a private library which constitutes experimental and alternative literary magazines. It was established on 23 June 1978 by Sandip Dutta with a few periodicals which gradually became a huge collection of some of the finest alternative magazines of the country. It also houses some rare Hungry Generation periodicals and pamphlets.

Asiatic Society Library
Asiatic Society Library, in Park Street of Kolkata, houses a vast repertoire of 1, 49,000 books written in almost all the languages of the world. The oldest printed book of the library dates back to 15th century. A number of books printed in 18th and 19th centuries have also been preserved in the library along with some rare collections, manuscripts and journals. Asiatic Society Library has also been enlisted in the Survey of Manuscripts in India. In addition to these, coins, drawings and various antiquities also grace the library.

Calcutta University Library
Calcutta University Library is the main library of Calcutta University and houses a huge collection of books published since the period of 16th century. It also has a significant collection of Bengali literature.

Indian Statistical Institute Library
Indian Statistical Institute Library is the central library of ISI and is known to be one of the richest libraries of India especially encompassing the field of statistics and related disciplines. It preserved about 200,000 volumes of journals and books along with a number of microfiches, microfilms, maps, reprints and reports. It also receives nearly one thousand technical and scientific and journals annually.

The American Library
The American Library, in J. L. Nehru Road of Kolkata, was previously popular as the United States Information Service (USIS) Library and is under the Public Affairs Office of the American Consulate General, Kolkata. It provides resources to gain knowledge and deep insight into the culture, institutions, values and policies of the United States. The library presents authoritative, accurate and current facts through the vast repository of printed and electronic reading materials.

Commercial Library
Commercial Library is the library of Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, established in 1914. It is a huge repertoire of books, magazines, reports, mimeographs, periodicals associated with Government of India and other organizations and countries of the world. It is a great information depot for the visiting students, officials, traders, businessmen, prospectors and academicians.

Chaitanya Library
Chaitanya Library, in Beadon Street, houses publications from 19th century onwards encompassing the subjects of literature, archaeology, mathematics, theatre, philosophy, and religion. The library has a rich collection of Vaishnav and Christian literature and a number of children`s books.

Other Libraries in Kolkata
Apart from these, other prominent libraries of Kolkata include British Commercial Library, Ram Krishna Mission Institute of Culture Library, Bangiyo Sahitya Parishad Library, British Council Library and Salt Lake City Library.