The National Library remins open for 362 days of the year and remains entirely closed on
(i) Republic Day (26 January), (ii) Independence Day (15 August), (iii) Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday (2 October) and other holidays, if any, as and when notified by Government of India.

The Reading Rooms at Bhasha Bhavan and at the second floor of Annexe Building remain open on all working days between 9 am and 8 pm and between 9.30 am and 6 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and other holidays as notified by the Library. The supply of books/documents stops one hour before the closing time. The Old Newspaper Reading Room at Esplanade remains open on all days from 9.30am to 6pm including Saturdays, Sundays and other holidays as notified by the Library. The fresh supply of books/documents at the Annexe Reading Room and the Old Newspaper Reading Room at Esplanade are not made on holidays. Books are supplied at Annexe Reading Room between 9.30am and 5pm on working days. Hence books/documents which are reserved on the last working day at the Annexe Reading Room are available to users for consultation on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Other reading facilities offered at individual divisions and sections at the National Library, function only on working days between 9.30 am and 6 pm.