Narmad Central Library

Before 1991, 'the Suratis' had places of entertainment and recreation like gardens, auditorium, swimming pools, and cinema houses and so on; but there was no full-fledged public library as a source of knowledge and information. Several stray Reading Halls provided only newspapers, periodicals and journals to the book lovers. The libraries of schools and colleges were restricted for their students. Therefore, the common man or professionals, technical experts, persons associated with trade and commerce etc. really required a Central Library with the collection of books of their field and choice.

Kavi Narmad Central Library -Before Revitalization
Kavi Narmad Central Library (Before Revitalization)
Kavi Narmad Central Library - After Revitalization
Kavi Narmad Central Library (After Revitalization)

Project Outline of Kavi Narmad Central Library

Title Particulars
Site/Location On the Eastern side of a 12 Mt. wide approach road connecting Police Head Quarter and Ghod dod Road, Final Plot No.M-9 of Athwa Town Planning Scheme No.5.
Area of Plot 6158 Sq. Mt. (75 x 82 Mt.)
Area of Construction 8596.87 Sq.Mtr.
Cost of construction (Total Project Cost) Rs. 403.00 Lacs (Approx.)
Outline of Planning The planning of Library building is done on the latest architectural and artistic models.
Establishment/Inauguration of the Library
Kavi Narmad Portrait
  • 24th August 1991, 159th birth anniversary of Kavi Narmad
  • 1st May, 2004 (Addition of e-Library and separate section for blind)
  • 18th January, 2011 (Addition of Information Centre, separate sections for senior citizen and rare book collection, conference hall and audio visual room)
Kavi Narmad Central Library
Title Particulars
Library Name Kavi Narmad Central Library
Address Near Umra Police Station, Ghod Dod Road, Athwalines, Surat - 395 001. Phone: (0261) 266 58 73 E-mail:
library[at]suratmunicipal[dot]gov[dot]in

Working Hours 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. (Tuesday to Sunday) 8.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. (Public Holidays) All Sections will remain closed for full days on Makar Sankranti, Republic Day, Dhuleti, Raksha Bandhan, Independence Day, Anant Choudash, Diwali, Hindu New Year, Bhai Bij & Muharram
Language of books, periodicals and newspapers Regional: Gujarati National: Hindi International: English
Number of Magazines & Periodicals 37
Number of Newspapers 36
Number of periodicals in the Children's Section -
Number of Books available in the Library 3,39,711
Membership 69,056
Number of Books Available in the Central Book Store 2,31,574
Membership 52,629
Number of Books Available in the Children Book Section 64,602
Membership 16,427
Number of Books Available in the Reference Book Section 43,535
Books available on topics Literature, Travel, Literature, Astrology, Spiritual Contemplative, General Knowledge, Religion, Sociology, Language, Dictionary, Science, Computer Information Technology, Medicine, Engineering etc
Ref. CD/VCD/DVD 1,782
e-Library (e-book) 3,130
Manuscripts 808
Number of Audio/ Video Cassettes 771
Rare books 254
Annual Budget Rs. 8.4152 Cr (Rs.1.00 Cr for purchase of books, magazines, periodicals and newspapers)
Timing for Issue and Return of books 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (Monday closed) 8.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. (on Public Holidays)
Membership Fees SMC GBR No. 8/2013, Dt. 23/01/2013

Child Member(Age Limit : 2 Yr to 12 Yr)

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Sr. No Description 6 Months 1 Year 3 Years
1 Admission Fee 70/- 70/- 70/-
2 Deposit, for issue of
  A) One Book 500/- 500/- 500/-
  B) Two Books 800/- 800/- 800/-
3 Book Maintenance Fee / 
Renewal Fee, for issue of
  A) One Book 30/- 50/- 130/-
  B) Two Books 50/- 80/- 220/-
4 Total Amount, for issue of
  A) One Book 600/- 620/- 700/-
  B) Two Books 920/- 950/- 1090/-

Adult Member (Age Limit : 12 Yr above)

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Sr. No Description 6 Months 1 Year 3 Years
1 Admission Fee 120/- 120/- 120/-
2 Deposit, for issue of
  A) One Book 1000/- 1000/- 1000/-
  B) Two Books 1600/- 1600/- 1600/-
3 Book Maintenance Fee / 
Renewal Fee, for issue of
  A) One Book 60/- 100/- 260/-
  B) Two Books 100/- 160/- 440/-
4 Total Amount, for issue of
  A) One Book 1180/- 1220/- 1380/-
  B) Two Books 1820/- 1880/- 2160/-

Central Book Store

This section is spacious enough to accommodate Lac + books. It is divided into two divisions. This section contains books in various regional languages to satisfy the needs of multilingual inhabitants of Surat-such as Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Oriya and so on. Here we have multi-purpose books on various subjects, both ancient and modern. The Novel section is separate. There are nearly 2.3 Lac + books in this section, stored in a large space.

Title Particulars
Number of books 2,31,574
Membership 52,629
Average Return & Issue of books per day 500
Average visitors per day 640
Central Book Store

Features

  • Collection of books on various subjects like General Knowledge, Library & Information Science, Journalism, Psychology, Religion, Social Sciences, Economics, Law, Public Administration, Education, Commerce, Language, Mathematics, Physics, Science, Engineering, Management, Art, Literatures, History & Geography etc.
  • Arrangement of books according to Decimal System based classification, in such a way as to make them readily available to the readers.
  • Old volumes of periodicals are available in bound form.
  • The readers can search their books themselves (open access system).
  • Award Winner & Book Review Books are Available
  • Timing : 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (Monday Closed), 8.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. (On Public Holidays)

Children Book Section

This section is large enough to store thousand/s of books. Books which can help in developing creative and constructive abilities among children. Electronic Material is also available to educate as well as to entertain the children.

Title Particulars
Number of books 64,602
Membership 16,427
Average Return & Issue of books per day 140
Average visitors per day 230
Children Book Store

Features

  • Books on various subjects of children's choice, educative stories etc.
  • Special low rise racks for periodicals to enable the children to select themselves.
  • Ample books & periodicals for children in Gujarati, Hindi and English.
  • Open access to the books.
  • Provision of black board, chalk etc. to develop the hobby of drawing and painting among children.
  • Timing : 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (Monday Closed), 8.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. (On Public Holidays)

Newspaper & Magazine / Sr. Citizen Section

Regular subscription of 37 periodicals of national and international stature with a view to supply contemporary reading material readily available on information, education and entertainment to various readers. This section also contains 36 daily newspapers catering to people of varied reading interests.

Title Particulars
Periodicals/Magazines 37
Newspapers 36
Avg. visitors per day (week days) 600
Avg. visitors per day (week ends) 800
Newspaper & Magazine / Sr. Citizen Section

Features

  • Reader friendly environment.
  • Periodicals on all subjects.
  • Special sitting area for senior citizens.
  • Timing: 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
  • Remains closed only on Makar Sankranti, Republic day, Dhuleti, Raksha Bandhan, Independence day, Anant Choudash, Diwali, Hindu New Year, Bhai bij and Muharram.

Reference / Rare Book Section

This section aims on procuring information on progress and development being done in different fields. We are breathing in the age of 'information-explosion'. So the right information shall flow to the right people or users. Hence we have collection of various reference resources such as - Encyclopedia, Dictionaries, Directories, History manuals, reference volumes of geography, maps and charts, travel guides which provides information on different topics. Rare and valuable, out of print, books and photographs, paintings, a series of booklets published by 'Parichaya Trust' and so on are the assets of this section.

Title Particulars
Books 43,535
Material in Electronic 1,782
Average visitors a day 25
Reference / Rare Book Section

Features

  • Membership is essential.
  • Special area for researchers & scholars.
  • Scanning facility available.
  • Open access system to search the book by the reader.
  • Timing: 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (Monday Closed), 8.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. (On Public Holidays)

Reading Rooms

A special provision to study peacefully is made for the students who do not have suitable environment for study at their home. Students can visit and study silently or do their academic activities without making noise or disturbing other learners.

Sitting Capacity Boys Girls Total
Under Graduate 100 92 192
Post Graduate 85 22 107
Additional 65 36 101
Total 250 150 400
Reading Rooms

Features

  • Separate sitting arrangements for boys and girls.
  • Adequate facilities, comfortable sitting & support, lights and ventilation for reading.
  • Separate cabins/cubicles for post-graduate students.
  • Provision of additional sitting, if needed.
  • Timing: 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
  • Remains closed only on Makar Sankranti, Republic Day, Dhuleti, Raksha Bandhan, Independence Day, Anant Choudash, Diwali, Hindu New Year, Bhai Bij & Muharram.

Technical Section

Technical Section

A special technical room is constructed for classification, categorization and cataloguing of newly arrived books, repairing and reinstatement of available books.

e-Library

This section on the ground floor of the building hosts a string of networked computers with a focus on e-books i.e. books in digital form on CDs are available in the premises as well as books viewable on the internet. These e-books are in PDF or html format as supplied with the paper book. One can access these e-books from computers or search from the Internet.

Title Particulars
e-Books 3,130
Average visitors a day 20
e-Library

Features

  • Free use of internet for registered members.
  • Information from internet or other electronic material can be downloaded or transferred on paper and CD.
  • Timing: 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (Monday Closed), 8.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. (On Public Holidays).

Library for the Blind

In this section, One can access an assorted collection of Braille books. These books are specially developed with embossed Braille Characters. Members/visitors are encouraged to spread awareness to increase its usage. Audio Visual equipments are also provided in this section. Lively and homely atmosphere is already there.

Title Particulars
Number of books 2600+
Membership fee Free of Charge
Members a day Average 5
Library for the Blind

Features

  • Collections of different topics.
  • Fiction in Gujarati & English in Braille Characters.
  • Separate alphabet chart to familiarize with Braille characters.
  • Blind person may visit without any restriction.
  • Blind person can use Audio material free of charge.

Information Centre

Information Centre

One can visit the information centre without any restriction where he/she can get information on various activities of SMC run libraries and reading rooms, other services/facilities provided by SMC, any queries about functioning of departments of SMC. Furthermore, books on latest development in the world are also displayed for information.

Shri Ranjitram Mehta Sabhagriha (Auditorium) & Shri Navalram Pandya Sabhakhanda (Conference Hall)

Auditorium and Conference Hall
Auditorium and Conference Hall

It is an added feature of KNC Library itself to have a well equipped air conditioned Auditorium & Conference Hall with the sitting capacity of 125 & 40 seats resp. Both venues are convenient for organizing literary & educational events such as lectures, seminars, workshops, symposium, colloquy, presentations, group discussions, releases & discourse of new publications etc.

Auditorium & Conference Hall are available on rent at affordable rates. More information are available with clicking on below mentioned link.

New Membership, Income and Deposit of the Library

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Year New Members - Adult New Members - Children Total New Members Withdrawn by Adult Withdrawn by Children Total Withdrawn Income Deposit Deposit Refunded
1991-1992 2607 678 3285 0 0 0 95320 294575 0
1992-1993 1458 567 2025 45 22 67 128066 174150 5600
1993-1994 1510 611 2121 77 31 108 224473 276750 9235
1994-1995 1335 355 1690 50 42 92 245117 226875 8125
1995-1996 1324 339 1663 73 66 139 407980 236025 12530
1996-1997 1360 357 1717 103 76 179 310548 231975 17880
1997-1998 1501 420 1921 80 57 137 278054 256650 14995
1998-1999 1851 422 2273 131 118 249 378695 309375 25195
1999-2000 1848 425 2273 122 106 228 582953 309075 23585
2000-2001 1991 368 2359 112 72 184 358984 326250 19340
2001-2002 1716 399 2115 94 40 134 387820 287325 17100
2002-2003 2019 526 2545 82 41 123 483490 342300 15295
2003-2004 1876 482 2358 96 56 152 441894 314625 19490
2004-2005 2239 576 2815 157 75 232 530096 372450 28600
2005-2006 1628 633 2261 144 58 202 572589 465225 25525
2006-2007 813 364 1177 118 48 166 529151 381200 28875
2007-2008 1079 548 1627 119 44 163 618285 527200 41375
2008-2009 1345 647 1992 116 59 175 742580 651400 45800
2009-2010 1855 576 2431 105 76 181 849087 828000 50700
2010-2011 2051 728 2779 155 122 277 1141441 947200 79900
2011-2012 2786 1065 3851 172 123 295 1206884 1301000 87500
2012-2013 2697 940 3637 283 148 431 2077511 3109375 136800
2013-2014 1380 653 2033 651 224 875 2239451 4184550 360850
2014-2015 1370 507 1877 379 209 588 2249525 2350636 372461
2015-2016 1385 536 1921 413 225 638 2191634 2184605 462005
2016-2017 1502 534 2036 364 145 509 1714848 2182976 415243
2017-2018 1731 486 2217 341 162 503 1904421 2405800 424400
2018-19 1718 527 2245 385 193 563 1998864 2362000 546391
2019-2020 1678 533 2211 391 179 570 1895067 2259150 524662
2020-2021 834 259 1093 324 103 427 1305337 1188100 416195
2021-2022 1296 392 1688 420 151 571 1550668 1768800 551738

Book Issued per Month

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Month 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 Total
1991-92 0 0 0 0 0 4694 3829 3696 4323 4584 5099 6427 32652
1992-93 12283 19954 13976 6673 6343 7008 7921 8129 6829 2610 9418 9111 120255
1993-94 7591 6791 6991 5110 5408 5268 5451 5013 5954 5432 4080 5774 68863
1994-95 3852 5783 3696 6058 5879 3510 4439 1362 4236 4302 2933 4477 50527
1995-96 4523 5676 1757 4309 5909 4817 3826 5756 5450 3002 4337 3955 53317
1996-97 4871 3959 6307 6996 6156 5797 6940 5903 5546 5865 5344 5753 69437
1997-98 6714 6437 6629 7094 6756 6454 5993 5923 6438 7205 6340 6939 78922
1998-99 6178 7964 8261 8100 8131 9343 8386 7441 8455 10983 8985 7007 99234
1999-00 6372 7718 6754 7550 7937 10800 8744 8475 9636 8319 7506 6864 96675
2000-01 6863 9721 10422 9071 8987 8673 8023 9046 9932 8501 7583 7160 103982
2001-02 7346 7982 9746 8972 8485 9342 8752 9223 9746 9132 8106 7642 104474
2002-03 6742 7846 8659 7237 7176 7416 7945 7044 7990 9478 9166 8247 94946
2003-04 8509 8615 9638 8107 8849 7508 7054 9343 8941 8414 8201 8901 102080
2004-05 6192 7694 8085 8511 8373 8140 7712 6293 7461 7100 6744 6994 89299
2005-06 7139 7214 7439 8743 8184 7363 6905 6590 7052 7268 6153 6954 87004
2006-07 7151 7506 7885 7702 1776 0 3294 4956 5661 6005 5729 5979 63644
2007-08 6596 7654 7205 7733 7665 7159 6205 5863 6595 6857 6334 6722 82588
2008-09 7596 8403 7750 8213 8382 7309 6749 8026 7624 8063 7363 8031 93359
2009-10 8056 8920 8266 8627 8440 7998 7404 7700 8200 9040 7873 8879 99403
2010-11 9233 9032 9543 9868 9107 8996 9349 8147 10814 11631 11424 12804 119948
(VPT+)
2011-12 12884 14136 14050 15570 13728 13153 11114 13427 12977 13802 12816 14911 162570
2012-13 12660 15731 14418 14414 14849 13495 12875 11389 13639 14057 12219 13486 163232
2013-14 12591 12346 12429 12486 11819 11192 9872 9891 11970 11684 10925 12699 139904
2014-15 11664 12091 12015 12787 11987 10885 9414 10911 10599 11241 10284 11412 135290
2015-16 11600 12145 10825 12128 12121 11809 10990 9586 11287 11877 9351 10978 134697
2016-17 10077 11000 11039 11290 10756 9843 8771 8943 10351 9958 9273 10535 121836
2017-18 10396 10168 9763 11088 10287 9129 8010 9074 9834 9732 9017 10348 116846
2018-19 10603 10860 10399 10752 10740 10093 9312 9133 10337 10144 8982 11057 122412
2019-20 9779 10208 10114 10140 10017 8986 8075 9027 9347 8914 9069 5498 109174
2020-21 0 0 0 0 0 4967 7016 6493 8248 8742 8114 4394 47974
2021-22 0 0 5056 8562 8353 7891 7757 6718 7799 8742 7586 8067 76531