National Library of Malaysia — Attraction in Kuala Lumpur

It is actually a huge compound with multilevel building and spacious parking. If all the levels and spaces are fully utilized, it will provide an excellent spots for family, children, teenagers, adults and students to spent time, reading and borrowing reading materials It could be a nice and suitable place to run and organize many beneficial programs for the nearby community and Malaysians

However, I was there few times since last year and now it's has been more that 1 year, the front building is still ongoing some renovations and one of the services which is book lending is completely not available, which is quite confusing because each time I came there, the staff at the counter which I assumed librarians would be telling me that the renovation is almost done but until now, as we are reaching the end of 2024, the access to book lending is still not available and the front building is still close for public

Compared to some state libraries which I need to say are more productive and the lending service is always available, the operation hour is quite limited, from 10-5, sometimes the security guard will ask us to leave the library earlier I do feel a bit frustrated because of the current condition, the whole buildings and the lending service should be fully utilised for the sake of the people; those who are not able to finish their reading, should be able to borrow the books and to read them at home There are wonderful and excellent collections of books and novels there and a huge gap between online and on site collections, even better than other libraries Therefore, i really hope that the library will be fully utilised including all the services and play the roles in encouring Malaysians to develop reading culture, organizing beneficial school break programs and providing sources...

Stepping into the National Library of Malaysia felt like entering a sanctuary for the mind. Tucked away near Jalan Tun Razak, it’s not just a place for books—it’s a space that invites you to slow down, reflect, and explore the rich tapestry of Malaysian culture and knowledge.

What struck me first was the architecture. The building is inspired by traditional Malay design, with a roof that resembles the tengkolok (Malay headdress) and intricate patterns that echo songket weaving. It’s a beautiful blend of heritage and modernity, and it sets the tone for what’s inside.

The library itself is spacious and thoughtfully organized. I spent most of my time in the Malaysiana section, browsing through rare manuscripts and historical documents that you won’t find anywhere else. There’s also a great children’s area, a cozy reading zone, and even an auditorium and exhibition hall. It’s more than just shelves of books—it’s a cultural hub.

What I appreciated most was the quiet. In a city as lively as KL, finding a peaceful corner to read or think is rare. The staff were helpful, the facilities clean, and the atmosphere welcoming.

Whether you're a student, a researcher, or just someone who loves stories, the National Library offers a meaningful experience. It’s not flashy or crowded, but that’s exactly what...

Security sucks downs stairs in front of the building sucks. They never let you enter unless you’re covered feet to fingers (even thought I wear pants and normal tee shirt. They always have a word to say, especially when you’re a woman).They have literally no books. All books you search on they system they said « no have. too old book ». I was looking for sociolinguistics or common wealth related books, even just one. They didn’t have any, even one book on the subject or mentioning the subject. Try to use their computers but impossible to charge any videos. Only can do some research on the Internet. They only open from 10am and supposed to close at 5pm but ask you to leave at 4:30pm. Some days might be closed and not even mentioned on their website or google and the security won’t give you any reason just ask you to leave in an arrogant way. I can’t believe it is the national library of Malaysia. Most of staff you will ask for advise they will just answer « I’m new » or « I don’t know » or «  we don’t have ». If you think you can print documents there forget about it, they either don’t know how to use or either say you can only scan not print. The entire library’s is so old, chairs, tables, lifts and so one...