10 Stunning Libraries In Malaysia That Will Make Every Book Lover Happy

Blending in with the rest of the neighbourhood, the L45 Kurau Community Library shares its space with a student housing building.

According to Malay Mail, the building - which was a house in its previous life - was bought and its construction paid for by a mysterious, unnamed man.

Besides browsing L45's collection of 35,000 books and counting, many of its patrons also love its calm and clean atmosphere.

Address:
45, Lorong Kurau,
Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur,
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.

Operating hours:
3PM - 6PM (Thursday to Saturday)
Closed on Sunday to Wednesday and public holidays

SMNA Library was established in 1987 by the luminary scholar of its namesake and belongs to the International Institute of Islamic Civilisation & Malay World (ISTAC).

The academic library holds a collection of books in Islamic and western languages. It also keeps rare manuscripts and 12 private collections, among others.

However, it may not be opened to the general public.

Address:
International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM),
24, Persiaran Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin,
Taman Duta, 50480 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Operating hours:
9AM - 5PM (Monday to Friday)

The Sarawak State Library is the biggest in the state, and is known by locals as the perfect place for relaxation of the mind and body.

Situated next to a gorgeous manmade lake, it's the perfect setup for hours of cosy reads - though locals love sitting in its cafe and taking a jog around the lake as well!

Address:
Q102, Petra Jaya,
93050 Kuching, Sarawak,
Malaysia.

Operating hours:
Closed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit their website for more updates.

Only a few years old, the Raja Tun Uda Library is a great place to hangout for the whole family as it has separate sections for children and adults.

A definite highlight of the library is the children's section, which is modelled after a park and features a large 'Reading Tree' in its midst. The area is also split into multiple zones, including one for creativity and another for interactive activities.

Address:
Jalan Kelab Golf 13/6,
Seksyen 13, 40100 Shah Alam,
Selangor, Malaysia.

Operating hours:
9AM - 7PM (Monday to Sunday)
Closed on public and state holidays. 

Little Giraffe Book Club is a small, private library that is family- and personal development-oriented.

On its Facebook page, the library says it was founded "in order to implant the healthy habit of reading" and "to encourage parents and children to spend time together reading".

Along with its stock of Chinese, English, and Bahasa Malaysia books, there are storytelling sessions once a month by qualified and experienced storytellers.

Address:
114, Jalan 15,
Batu 11 Cheras,
43200 Batu 9 Cheras,
Selangor, Malaysia.

Operating hours:
Temporarily closed. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

Founded in 2017, Rumah Attap Library and Collective makes its home in a row of restored 1950s interconnected shophouses.

Besides being just a library, it is also a space for discussion, publication, workshops, and forums.

Address:
84c, Jalan Rotan,
Off Jalan Kampung Attap,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Operating hours:
1PM - 5PM (Saturday, by appointment only)

You won't be able to find any bookshelves at the Penang Digital Library because everything is in the cloud.

Built more as a community space, the 24-hour library has two buildings: the 4,000 sq ft 'Mansion Library' and the 10,000 sq ft 'New Annexe'.

Close by, you'll find the 'Cabin In The Park' cafe and a recreational study area called 'Wisdom Street'.

Address:
135, Jalan Masjid Negeri,
Taman Guan Joo Seng,
11600 George Town,
Penang, Malaysia.

Operating hours:
Temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

The Universiti Teknologi Petronas Information Resource Centre (UTP IRC) is mainly a support centre for academic activities of the university, so it may not be opened to the general public.

It houses approximately 210,000 volumes of items, with collections comprising printed and non-printed materials, including electronic resources.

Its signature tall shelves that greet all who enter are a prime feature in many graduation photos.

Address:
Universiti Teknologi Petronas,
32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar,
Perak, Malaysia.

Operating hours:
Closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit their website for more information.

The Anggerik Mokara MBSA Library is fully managed by the Shah Alam City Council and opened its doors to the public recently.

With over 1,000 books, it caters mainly to young readers - which is why its design is colourful and inviting.

Address:
Jalan Utarid U5/9,
Taman Mutiara Subang,
Shah Alam.

Operating hours:
9AM - 1PM, 2PM - 5PM (Tuesday to Thursday)
9AM - 12.15PM, 2.45PM - 5PM (Friday)
10AM - 4PM (Alternate Saturdays)
Closed on Mondays, first and third Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

The new Sabah State Library occupies the spot of the now-demolished Kota Kinabalu City Centre library.

With six floors spanning over 62,000 sq ft, every member of the family will find something to suit their taste.

A must-see is the marine-themed children's section, which has climbing ropes, custom-built shelves, and even swings to keep the children busy and active.

Address:
Tanjung Aru Plaza,
1, Jalan Mat Salleh, Tanjung Aru,
88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Operating hours:
10AM - 5PM daily (Monday to Friday)
Closed on weekends and public holidays.