MJ Library was inaugurated by India’s first Deputy Prime Minister Shri. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel in the year 1938. 80 years ago, Mahatma Gandhi donated 7000 of his own books to MJ Library. All of this are still preserved in a dedicated section of the library. Gandhi always had in mind the idea that a library should be created for the books of the Ashram. His dream came true when local authorities decided to open a public library with philanthropist and businessman Sheth Rasiklal Maneklal’s monetary support. The MJ Library, today, preserves Gandhi’s collection in a capsule of time.
The library’s collection of 3,08,084 books is massive and segregated across English, Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, Sindhi, Sanskrit, Urdu and French languages. The collection consists of books ranging from fictional novels to non-fiction works, comics to journals, biographies to academic books, and various other genres. The academic section houses hordes of carefully compiled informational books, including encyclopaedias, Britannicas and books on subjects like history, science, economics and mathematics. Library is also enriched with 225 monthly, weekly and fortnightly magazines and 30 daily newspapers in different languages.
MJ Library underwent a digital transformation. Computers, eReaders, Digital Library, Mobile App, Online library services and experience KIOSKs were set up for the citizens of Ahmedabad. The initiative was supported by Smart City Ahmedabad Development Limited. Members can access lakhs of ebooks, videos, ePapers, eMagazines, Journals, etc from their homes. Members can also reserve books and make payments through MJ online services.