This is a public charitable trust established on 1st July 1877 and works sincerely and relentlessly for the objects of running a District Public Library since then. The library commenced its working in a small place donated by the then Municipal council which was named Central Library and the building was called the Town Hall. It was renovated in 1907 and then named as The Lamington Town Hall after the name of the then Governor of Bombay Lord Lamington who laid its foundation stone for the renovation work.
This is now a heritage building and the same is retained as it was with the original stone walls earthen roof-tiles (descending roof) as a heritage. This houses a large machine made painting of Shri. Lokmanya Tilak made from the original photo and this hall is now referred to as Lokmanya Tilak Sabhagruh. He had visited the library in 1916 and had delivered a lecture in his inimitable style and words in this town hall.
Provides a membership to readers at a very nominal charge of Rs.330 per year for a single book at a time and Rs.440 per year for two books at a time. Library has more than 1.50 lakh books. The entire library book lists, book lending records and the system are computerized and facilitates searching of books at finger tips. The trust is registered under the Indian Societies Act 1860, The Maharashtra Public Trust Act 1950 and under section 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The trust is prompt and updated in records, accounting and audits and all the requisite returns are filed every year promptly and regularly. There are no pending cases of any type under any act against the trust.
The library houses more than 1.50 lakh books and has more than 1700 members. The library has been a pillar of encouraging and providing food to readers and cultural activities in the city of Jalgaon and the entire district of Jalgaon. It is one of the few libraries in India which are more than 100 years old and still working in good condition providing the readers a treasure trove of books to read. It has an open to public section called Muktdwar where daily newspapers are housed and provided free of cost to read to general public with proper sitting arrangements and basic amenities like lights, fans and safe drinking water etc. The library arranges free public meetings for lectures delivered by renowned established as well as upcoming writers, poets and thinkers. Many renowned writers, poets, thinkers and motivators have visited the library and the visitor’s book of the library is itself now a rare treasure having handwriting and signatures of these literary stalwarts. The trustees are the elite and learned persons from the society, working for the benefit of the society at large with a basic common thread of being good readers and apolitical. There has never been an election and the trustees are normally elected unopposed. A tradition to elect few new and young trustees in the team of trustees keeps the trust always active and vibrant.