The State Central Library Hyderabad

The State Central Library Hyderabad,(Urdu: مكتب اصفيا‎) better known as the State Central Library (SCL), is a public library in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. The building was constructed in 1891 by Nawab Imad-ul-Mulk. Formerly known as the Asafia Library, it is one of the most imposing structures in the city and was granted heritage status in 1998 by INTACH, Hyderabad.

The library is located at Afzal Gunj on the bank of the River Musi. It houses 500,000 books and magazines including some rare palmleaf manuscripts. This library is the apex of the state's library system.

The State Central Library began in 1891 due to the efforts of Moulvi Syed Hussain Bilgrami (Nawab Imadul Mulk Bahadur), whose personal library formed the institution's initial core. The library was located at Abids and then known as the Asafia State Library after theAsaf Jah dynasty. Syed Tassaduq Hussain, a scholar, was appointed as Superintendent of the Library. He became the first librarian of the State Central Library in 1936.

The library building has an area of 72,247 square yards and was built under the supervision of architect, Aziz Ali. The foundation stone was laid in January 1932 by Prince Mir Osman Ali Khan. At the construction's completion, the Asafia Library shifted to the new building in 1936 to mark Nizam VII's silver jubilee. The architecture is reminiscent of a palace with its huge halls and high ceilings.

In 1941, the Asafia State Library celebrated its Golden Jubilee. When the Hyderabad Public Libraries Act became law in 1955, Asafia State Library became the State Central Library for Hyderabad State. After linguistic reorganisation of States in 1956, it became the State Central Library for Andhra Pradesh. An annex building was constructed in 1961.

In 1975, the library transferred its Arabic script manuscript collection to the newly formed Oriental Manuscripts Library and Research Institute.

1. The main objective is to collect literature on Science, Technology and similar subjects.

2. It should be Andhra Pradesh's main source of reference materials for researchers and scholars.

3. It should serve as a focal point and organizing agency for the interlibrary loan of books.

4. The library, in accordance with its objectives, maintains a strong reference collection including State and Central Government Publications.

5. The library organizes book exhibitions, professional seminars, conferences, and nationwide week celebrations.

6. A main objective is to create awareness and to establish the habit of reading in its students. This is emphasized and highlighted during National Library Week.

7. The library provides literature for research scholars, children of various ages, students, and readers of all standards.