Krishnadas Shama State Central Library
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The Krishnadas Shama Goa State Central Library, located in Panaji, holds a significant place in India's cultural and historical landscape, claiming the distinction of being the nation's first public library. Its origins trace back to September 15, 1832, when it was inaugurated by the Portuguese Viceroy of Goa, Dom Manuel de Portugal e Castro, under the name "Publica Livraria of the Academia Militar de Goa" (Military Training Institute). A pivotal moment in the library's growth occurred in 1834. Following the Portuguese government's order for the suppression of certain religious orders, extensive book collections from various convents were transferred to the library, substantially enriching its repository. This expansion led to a name change in 1836 to "Bibliotheca Pública," at which point it was officially opened to the public. The library's location also saw changes; in 1836, it moved to the premises where Municipal proceedings were conducted. Over the years, its name evolved further. In 1870, it became the "Biblotheca Publica da Nova Goa." A significant elevation in status occurred in February 1897 when it was designated a National Library and renamed "Bibliotheca Nacional de Nova Goa," later becoming the "Bibliotheca National Vasco da Gama." A notable legal development in the library's history was the decree of March 18, 1956, which applied the Privilege of Deposited Legal to the institution. This made the library eligible to receive, free of charge, copies of all publications from Portugal and its overseas colonies, significantly expanding its collection. While it initially functioned as an annex of an institute, it was later placed under the direct administrative control of the Services de Instruccao e Saude (Education and Health Services) from September 1959. Historically, the library's collection predominantly featured books in Portuguese, French, Spanish, Latin, and English. Catalogues of the library's holdings were printed, with the first in 1907, and subsequently, a comprehensive card catalogue encompassing author, title, and cross-references was prepared. Instagram handle : @saviathebakecook
Savia Maria Colaco
00
My best find in Goa during my college days. It is definitely a state of the art library that houses everything from leisure reads to historical documents from Goa's bygone era. It has central airconditioning, but it does not work half the times. The membership facilities are really cheap and a dream for book lovers. They have special student facilities too. The fiction novels section used to be better maintained a few years back with proper shelving and binding of old books for better life. I hope they bring back the same kind of service as when I went recently, I found that the older novels which are the bestsellers have loose pages falling out inspite of the attempt to bind them back to a shape. But, all those things said, it is my favorite place in Goa to wind down with a book I love in absolute silence.
Aishwarya Krishnan
00
The Krishnadas Shama Goa State Central Library, located in Panaji, holds a significant place in India's cultural and historical landscape, claiming the distinction of being the nation's first public library. Its origins trace back to September 15, 1832, when it was inaugurated by the Portuguese Viceroy of Goa, Dom Manuel de Portugal e Castro, under the name "Publica Livraria of the Academia Militar de Goa" (Military Training Institute). A pivotal moment in the library's growth occurred in 1834. Following the Portuguese government's order for the suppression of certain religious orders, extensive book collections from various convents were transferred to the library, substantially enriching its repository. This expansion led to a name change in 1836 to "Bibliotheca Pública," at which point it was officially opened to the public. The library's location also saw changes; in 1836, it moved to the premises where Municipal proceedings were conducted. Over the years, its name evolved further. In 1870, it became the "Biblotheca Publica da Nova Goa." A significant elevation in status occurred in February 1897 when it was designated a National Library and renamed "Bibliotheca Nacional de Nova Goa," later becoming the "Bibliotheca National Vasco da Gama." A notable legal development in the library's history was the decree of March 18, 1956, which applied the Privilege of Deposited Legal to the institution. This made the library eligible to receive, free of charge, copies of all publications from Portugal and its overseas colonies, significantly expanding its collection. While it initially functioned as an annex of an institute, it was later placed under the direct administrative control of the Services de Instruccao e Saude (Education and Health Services) from September 1959. Historically, the library's collection predominantly featured books in Portuguese, French, Spanish, Latin, and English. Catalogues of the library's holdings were printed, with the first in 1907, and subsequently, a comprehensive card catalogue encompassing author, title, and cross-references was prepared. Instagram handle : @saviathebakecook
Savia Maria Colaco
00
Nearby Attractions Of Krishnadas Shama State Central Library
Big Daddy Casino
Immaculate Conception Church
Casino Pride
Deltin Jaqk
Majestic Pride Casino
Maruti Temple
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Park.
Shree Mahalaxmi Temple
Goa State Museum
Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts

Big Daddy Casino
4.5
(12.6K)
Click for details

Immaculate Conception Church
4.4
(9.8K)
Click for details

Casino Pride
4.1
(7K)
Click for details

Deltin Jaqk
4.1
(3K)
Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Krishnadas Shama State Central Library
Ritz Classic Panjim
Kokni Kanteen Goa
Ritz Classic-Patto
Sher-E-Punjab Goa
Kailash Parbat- Pure Vegetarian Restaurant
Viva Panjim
Joseph Bar
Cremeux - Panaji
Caravela Cafe And Bistro
Domino's Pizza | Panaji, Goa

Ritz Classic Panjim
4.2
(6.5K)
$$
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Kokni Kanteen Goa
4.3
(4.5K)
$$
Click for details

Ritz Classic-Patto
4.0
(3.2K)
$$
Click for details

Sher-E-Punjab Goa
4.2
(2.7K)
$$
Click for details
Basic Info
Address
Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto, Patto Centre, Panaji, Goa 403001, India
Map
Phone
+91 832 240 4512
Call
Website
centrallibrary.goa.gov.in
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.4
(258 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
relaxation
family friendly
accessibility
Description
Krishnadas Shama Goa State Central Library is the main library in the State of Goa, India. It is located in Panjim and its website claims that it is the first public library to be set up across India, in the early 1830s.
attractions: Big Daddy Casino, Immaculate Conception Church, Casino Pride, Deltin Jaqk, Majestic Pride Casino, Maruti Temple, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Park., Shree Mahalaxmi Temple, Goa State Museum, Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts, restaurants: Ritz Classic Panjim, Kokni Kanteen Goa, Ritz Classic-Patto, Sher-E-Punjab Goa, Kailash Parbat- Pure Vegetarian Restaurant, Viva Panjim, Joseph Bar, Cremeux - Panaji, Caravela Cafe And Bistro, Domino's Pizza | Panaji, Goa

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