On borrowing books

Illustration: Ruby Rahman

Buying books can be expensive, especially if you are a student on budget. But you don't always have to buy books. If you are a student, availing a library membership card might be the best option for you. There are several perks to a library card, like accessing journals and digital newspapers which otherwise require a hefty amount of money to acquire.

Here is our guide to libraries and borrowing books.

Bookcentric

First on our list is Bookcentric, the first book rental service in Bangladesh.

Their collection boasts a huge number of books, including latest releases. From Olga Tokarczuk to Sarah J Maas, their library collection has everything you need, whether it is a hard to find book or a popular one. There are several monthly subscription packages that you can choose from, which range from BDT 300 to BDT 1,100. The most popular one is the "Bookster" plan where you can borrow two books monthly at BDT 300. Additionally, they offer special subscription plans for children and families.

British Council Bangladesh

British Council Bangladesh offers several membership categories for both their online and offline libraries. To become a member at the Dhaka Library located in Fuller Road, you need to submit a completed application form with proof of identification and one passport size photo. You can borrow books, DVDs, magazines and IELTS books with their membership plan.

The most useful subscription is their Digital Library plan, which offers more than 80,000 resources on the go. For an individual membership of one year for the Digital Library, you get access to all the digital journals, e-books, e-magazines, e-movies, e-newspapers, learning modules, digital graphic novels and more. From JSTOR to The Economist, you get access to all resources on an app for a yearly fee of BDT 1,500.

Alliance Française de Dhaka

You can get a library membership at Alliance Française de Dhaka even if you aren't taking any language courses there. The annual fee for a membership card is BDT 2,500. 

With a membership plan, you will have access to a wide range of books, magazines, journals, CDs, cassettes and DVDs. You must submit a completed form along with recent photographs (1 passport size and 1 stamp size) to become a member.

Goethe-Institut Bangladesh

Much like the other institutes, Goethe-Institut Bangladesh also offers library subscription plans to the general public.

To issue a card, you must book an appointment with the librarian.

The library membership was free for one year until April 28, 2022. The annual membership fee will be BDT 1,000, starting from May.

The author is a freelance journalist.