Welcome to the Official Website of
Jaffna Public Library
Brief History
The Jaffna Public Library, a cornerstone of Tamil cultural heritage in Sri Lanka, was officially placed under the administration of the Jaffna Town Development Board on 1 January 1935.
Prior to this, the library began as a modest initiative in August 1934, housed in a small rented room on Hospital Road, Jaffna, with a collection of 844 books and approximately 30 newspapers and magazines. As the collection expanded, necessitating more space, the library was relocated in January 1935 to a rented building on Main Street, Jaffna.
Total Number of Books
Lending Section
India Corner
Children Section
Acquisition Section
Special Collection Section
Reference Section
Youth Corner
Total Books
Services Offered by the Jaffna Public Library
The Jaffna Public Library offers a range of services to support visually impaired individuals, ensuring equitable access to information and resources
Reference Books Section
A dedicated section houses reference materials, including encyclopedias, dictionaries, and specialized texts, to support in-depth research and study.
Mobile Library Service
To extend its reach, the library operates a mobile service that brings books and resources to various communities, making information accessible to those unable to visit the main branch
Lending Section for Members
Registered members have the privilege to borrow books and other materials, fostering a culture of reading and learning within the community
Gender-Specific Reading Sections
The library maintains separate reading areas for men and women, ensuring a comfortable and respectful environment for all visitors.
Archives Section
A library archive section houses a library’s historical or special collections, differing from the main circulating collection. It typically contains unique, original materials like manuscripts, photographs, and documents, often in fragile or non-traditional formats, requiring specialized handling and preservation.
Self-Service with OPAC
The Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) enables users to independently search for and locate library resources, enhancing the efficiency of their visits.
Services for Visually Impaired Users
Braille and Audio Books
The library provides access to Braille books and audio materials, catering to the needs of visually impaired patrons. These resources support literacy and learning, enabling users to engage with a wide array of topics
Documentation Section Services
The Documentation Section of the Jaffna Public Library offers a rich repository of historical and governmental resources. Visitors can peruse a diverse collection of old newspapers, magazines, government publications, and periodicals, providing invaluable insights into past events, policies, and cultural developments since 1981.
Photo copying Services
Patrons can avail themselves of photocopying facilities to duplicate documents, articles, and other materials for personal or academic use.
Recent Events
“STEM Fair” Conducted at Our Library in Collaboration with American Corner
“Student Life” Talk Held for Grade 8 Students at Library
Storytelling and Book Distribution Event Held at Children’s Section of the Library
Honorable Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya Visits Our Library
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s 10th Memorial Observed at Library
Dr. Gamini Goonetilleke donates book to Library
Hon. Mrs.Vivekanandaraja Madivadani
Mayor, Jaffna Municipal Council.
Mr. Chandran Krishnendran
Commissioner, Jaffna Municipal Council
Mrs.Anushiya Sivakaran
Chief Librarian, B.B.M. Charted Librarian, Jaffna Public Library
Mrs.Anitha Thayalan
Asst. Chief Librarian, B.A Charted Librarian, Jaffna Public Library
Send us an email
Any questions you can email us
mcjaffnamailm@gmail.com mcjaffnamailm@yahoo.com
Give us a call
We are here to support
(+94) 021 222 6028
(+94) 021 222 6025
Visit our office
Visit the library to see book world
Jaffna Public Library, Clock Tower Road, Jaffna.