Bengaluru: Lalbagh’s 140-year-old library gets a digital makeover

In a significant stride towards modernization, the historic library inside Bengaluru’s Lalbagh Botanical Garden is undergoing a major renovation, bringing a high-tech touch to its century-old legacy. Established nearly 140 years ago, the library, originally the residence of the Director of Horticulture is now being revamped at a cost of Rs 1 crore.

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The facelift includes structural renovations such as repairing walls, upgrading furniture, and restoring the roof, all while ensuring the traditional architecture remains untouched. What sets this renovation apart is the library’s digital transformation. Around 12,000 books, especially those focused on horticulture, plant sciences, and botanical research, are being scanned and digitized at a cost of Rs 16 lakh.

Once completed, visitors will be able to access these books digitally on computers within the library premises. This initiative not only preserves rare and valuable texts but also makes them more accessible to researchers, students, and plant enthusiasts. With its rare collection and colonial-era charm, the Lalbagh library is set to become a blend of heritage and modernity.