Librarian’s Message

The D.S. Senanayake Memorial Public Library, established in 1920, is the oldest public library in Sri Lanka. Originally founded in 1841 as the Central Municipal Library for a select group of English-educated local and foreign readers, it was handed over to the Kandy Municipal Council on October 1, 1920, and opened to the public as the first public library on the island. Situated in the heart of Kandy, blessed by the proximity of the Temple of the Tooth Relic and other religious landmarks, the library has long been a cornerstone of service to the local community and the surrounding areas.

As a model library hub for the Central Province, it leads and guides other public libraries in the region, ensuring they provide quality services to their communities. The library boasts nearly 200,000 books in all three languages, including invaluable reference materials, manuscripts, rare books, and research resources. It also provides access to daily newspapers in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, along with a range of economic and social magazines and journals.

The D.S. Senanayake Memorial Public Library operates nine main sections offering diverse services, such as circulation, reference, main reading, cataloguing, and binding, as well as mobile services. Notably, it features a Braille Library, which serves as the only Braille library in the Central Province, offering essential services for individuals with visual impairments. In addition to its main services, the library manages six branch libraries throughout the city, reaching marginalized and rural communities. The E.L. Senanayake Children’s Library, located under the main library, serves children under the age of 14, with nearly 3,000 active members involved in reading, as well as extracurricular clubs for music, dance, art, and reading. Beyond reader services, the library organizes a range of extension programs and projects to engage members and the wider community, including environmental initiatives, literature competitions, and community service activities.

The library has embraced modern technology, providing a fully automated library system with digital access to its collection, making library services more efficient and user-friendly. The staff, comprising about 60 dedicated professionals, is committed to meeting the needs of library users. We warmly invite you to explore the wealth of information available in various formats through our user-friendly system and make the most of the resources at the D.S. Senanayake Memorial Public Library. Thank you and Welcome.

H.M.T.Herath Chief Librarian.

Our Vision

To establish ourselves as a leading public library network, delivering exceptional knowledge and information services that contribute to the development of a more informed, educated, and knowledge-driven society.

Our Mission

To promote access to information and learning, fostering intellectual growth and cultural enrichment for all individuals in the community.

History