Kaiser Library — Attraction in Kathmandu Metropolitan City

Kaiser Shumsher left a most significant legacy in the form of his private library known as Kaiser Library. In 1908, Kaiser Shumsher visited Britain with his father, Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher. He was very impressed by the library and museum system of Britain. After he returned from Britain, he developed his private library which is now called Kaiser Library. Kaiser Shumsher was interested in collecting books, antiques, animal trophies, paintings and photographs since early age. As a result of all these valuable collections, Kaiser Library is not only a library but also a small museum in itself.

During Kaiser Shumsher's life time, the library was accessible only to his family members, notable Nepalese scholars and foreigners. Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India visited this library in 1952 and in 1960. Perceval London and Sylvain Levi, well known orientalists and scholar had used this library for their research work. This library remained private for many years even after the revolution of 2007 B.S. (1950). In 1964, his wife Krishna Chandra Devi Rana and their sons Keyur Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana and Lok Bhakta Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana donated the 34 ropanies of land including Kaiser Library special ceremony on 11th September 1968. Since then, library has been running under the Ministry of Education.

The Kaiser library has more than sixty thousand books, documents, periodicals and manuscripts. It is rich in the collection of rare books, manuscripts, painting, photographs, animal trophies etc. This library, therefore, is considered one of the best libraries in the country from historical and archaeological point of view. The entire collections are separated into three categories:

Kaiser collection

General Collection

Manuscripts Collection

New Collection (Books from Nepali Medium and Books from English Medium)

Children Corner

Periodicals Collection

The Kaiser Collection contains approximately Twenty Eight Thousand volumes of books and documents that cover a wide range of subjects like philosophy, religion, astronomy, social science, military science, game, hunting, gardening, medicine, literature, history and biography. Ninety Five percent of the books are in English language, rests are in Sanskrit, Hindi and Nepali. Beside this, many noteworthy paintings, photographs, sculptures, old maps and press cuttings are also part of the library collections. Beside Kaiser's Collection, the new collection was developed in 1970. Every year, new books in different subjects are added into this collection. The new collections are regularly used by students, teachers, government personnel, researchers and general public. In New collection, various subjects including dictionary, General knowledge computer science, Philosophy, Religion, Social Science, Politics, Law Management, Pure Science, Technology, Literature, History, biography, Guide Book etc. are collected. New Collection is also extended into three sub-sections: Books from English Medium, Books from Nepali Medium and Children Collection.

Kaiser Library has a subscription of forty three titles of newspapers and journals in a year. A number of periodicals are being received through donations and exchange. In addition, there are periodicals from the Kaiser Shumsher's private collection.

Library Hours

10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Sunday to Thursday)

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (16 Kartik to 15 Magh)

10:00 am to 3:00 pm (Friday)

(Library is closed on Saturday and other...

The Kaiser Mahal Library, once an opulent haven for book enthusiasts, now stands in the midst of extensive renovation efforts. In response to the post-earthquake challenges, the library has temporarily relocated its book collection to a nearby structure, serving as a temporary home while the original building undergoes transformation.

The library's operating hours are notably rigid, with doors opening promptly at 10 am and closing a mere 20 to 25 minutes before the expected time. This scheduling constraint may pose an inconvenience to those who wish to utilize its wealth of literary resources. It's important to note that the library operates exclusively on weekdays.

Within the library, a diverse array of books awaits exploration. My personal preference gravitates towards spiritual literature, and I was pleased to discover gems like the "Original Gospel of Ramakrishna" and the "Autobiography of Paramhansa Yogananda" alongside numerous other masterpieces. This impressive collection caters to a wide range of literary tastes.

The library is thoughtfully divided into two distinct sections, catering to different study preferences. The first section accommodates those who prefer self-study with their personal books, offering an outer section for such independent exploration. The second section is dedicated to library books and provides a conducive environment for focused study. Visitors are welcome to bring their notebooks and laptops to facilitate note-taking during their research.

Kaiser Mahal Library extends its amenities beyond its book collection. It generously offers free WiFi, ensuring that visitors can access digital resources. Moreover, the provision of drinking water contributes to the comfort and convenience of those engaging in extended study sessions.

Notably, the Kaiser Mahal Library offers all these amenities and services completely free of charge. There are no entrance fees, making it an accessible resource for all. However, please be aware that the library operates exclusively on weekdays.

In summary, the ongoing renovation, strict operating hours on weekdays, a substantial collection of literary treasures, and the absence of entrance fees distinguish the Kaiser Mahal Library. It caters to a diverse readership and provides a conducive environment for both personal and scholarly exploration, with the added advantages of free WiFi and accessible...

Kaiser Sumsher left a most significant legacy in the form of his private library known as Kaiser Library. Since 11th September 1968,  library has been running under the Ministry of Education. The Kaiser library has more than sixty thousand books, documents, periodicals and manuscripts. It is rich in the collection of rare books, manuscripts, painting, photographs, animal trophies etc. This library, therefore, is considered one of the best libraries in the country from historical and archaeological point of view.

The Kaiser Collection contains approximately Twenty Eight Thousand volumes of books and documents that cover a wide range of subjects like philosophy, religion, astronomy, social science, military science, game, hunting, gardening, medicine, literature, history and biography.

Opening Hours : 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Sunday to Thursday and 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (Friday) (Library is closed on Saturday and other government holidays.)

Contact : 01-4411318

Facilities:

Access to the book collections.

Drinking Water

Personally, This is my best library in the town. The ambiance and peaceful environment is all I seek. Being a royal library, It feels really fascinating to roam around the library. There is huge collection of so many interesting books and references. But you will need to struggle to search through books.

The Library Membership isn't available. You can go and read in the library but are  not allowed to issue the books. And if you find some interesting book, you might finish it in a sit, or the next day you will be searching the same book in the entire library. Because often visitors come and surf through the books and keep may it in any other shelves. We can say, It's quiet...