| M. J. Library | |
| Parent Organisation: | --> |
| Location Map: | India Gujarat |
| Native Name: | Sheth Maneklal Jethabhai Pustakalaya |
| Architect: | Claude Batley |
| Country: | India |
| Type: | Public library |
| Location: | Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Service Area: | Ahmedabad |
M. J. Library or Sheth Maneklal Jethabhai Pustakalaya is a public library in Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad, India.
Mahatma Gandhi proposed to construct a public library by the collection of books he had at Sabarmati Ashram. Gandhi donated approx 7,000[1] -15,000[2] books to start this library.[3] [4]
It was named after Maneklal Jethabhai; father of Rasiklal Maneklal, who donated to construct this library. It was inaugurated by Vallabhbhai Patel on 15 April 1938.
The architectural design of library was done by Claude Batley.[5] [6] It is built in Rajputana Colonial architecture style.[7]
The entrance area is octagonal space with a dome on top of it. The building is ornamented with chhajjas, brackets and jalis which Batley considered "practical climatic essentials" and rooted in the traditional Indian architecture.