Whither this National Library?

With the Anna Centenary Library just opened in Kotturpuram, what is planned for the Presidency's/ Province's/State's premier library for nearly 150 years and which has been designated as a National Library? I refer to the Connemara Public Library.

That library, designated as the State Central Library in 1950 and a National Library in 1955, had its beginnings in 1861 when the Government of Madras received hundreds of books found surplus in the libraries of Haileybury College (where Civilians for India were trained) and the India Office in Britain. This collection was sent to the Government Museum which established a separate library section with these books as its nucleus. The Madras Literary Society too had its collection there till it moved into its own premises in 1906 and the Madras University Library was also housed in the Museum till it moved in 1928 to the Marina campus. It would appear each of the three libraries had its own staff, the Museum's being part of the Museum staff till it was separated from it in 1930. In 1939, the Library became a separate institution.

It had, however, in 1896 been named the Connemara Public Library, when it moved into a new building raised next to the Museum's main block which had developed from the old Public Assembly Rooms better known as The Pantheon. Named after the Governor who had suggested that it should be a separate institution, the Connemara's first home of its own was built by Namberumal Chetty to a design by Henry Irwin. That design featured a magnificent reading hall that was only recently renovated and which stocks the Old Book Collection. What, I wonder, is the future of this collection? Is it moving to the 21st Century library or will it stay put in its splendid old surroundings but with, hopefully, easier access — at least, even to view that splendid old reading room?

Full report here Hindu

CM opens library at Kotturpuram

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Wednesday, Sep 16, besides inaugurating the Anna Centenary Library at Kotturpuram in Chennai, also became its first member.

Karunanidhi in his inaugural address said the library was named after Annadurai not only as the fulfillment of a promise made in the last year’s budget, but also based on the tradition of the Dravidian movement to name learning centres after legends like Anna, Periyar and Bharathidasan.

Recalling a lecture by Anna on All India Radio in 1948 on the need for a library in every house, he said several learning facilities were run in Tiruvarur by the Dravidian movement during the same period to disseminate ideals among the people.

“If we are successful in setting up a library in the name of Anna today, it is because of the passion that was ignited during those days,” he said. Reminiscing the great passion Anna had for books, the Chief Minster touchingly said the late leader read books even when he was on death bed.

Full report here New Indian Express

Pioneering facilities for the visually challenged

The Braille section of the Anna Centenary Library to be opened soon will help people with visual impairment access books.

“This is one of the first public libraries in India to have these facilities introduced for the visually challenged, particularly with reference to books in Tamil,” said G. Arivoli, Director of Public Libraries.

“We have secured five Braille Displays, that will cover around 1,000 books in both Tamil and English initially,” he added. Using the equipment, the reader can go through the text, line by line, once the soft copy in the required format has been loaded to the instrument.

“The introduction of the Braille Display in Tamil is of great value. It will help save space, paper and energy,” said R. Jayachandran, associate professor in Tamil, Presidency College, and a person with visual impairment.

“The equipment in the Braille section cost a total of Rs. 15 lakh. We also have plans to procure the OpenBook software that converts printed pages into an electronic text format for the visually challenged.” said Mr. Arivoli.

Full report here Hindu