The Andhra Pradesh State Central Library had its genesis in
the year 1891AD due to the sustained efforts of Late Moulvi
Syed Hussain Bilgrami. The personal library of this great
scholar formed the initial corpus of this great institution. It
was then known as Asafia State Library after the name of
Asaf Jah dynasty and was located in Abids. In course of time,
it emerged as one of the biggest, finest and richest libraries in
the world both in terms of print and manuscripts collection.
Public libraries are indicators of a community’s respect and
value for history and knowledge.All public library buildings
are designed to be iconic in image, easily accessible in use
and inviting for all.
The new building for the Asafiya State Library, commissioned
in 1932AD, was also designed with the above design and use
intent. Its continued use for the same purpose for which it
was originally built through 75 years, proves its merit both in
architectural and cultural terms.
The renovation plan intends to restore it physically and
spatially to instigate and facilitate functional up gradation.