“A room for reading”

While the Chennai Corporation finds room for many public utility projects, it is sad that simple neighbourhood libraries do not find some space

Deeptha Sreedhar

However advanced the technology grows the scent of a book and the rustle noise it makes while flipping through the pages can never be replaced by a kindle or e-books. As a community, Chennaiites are fast losing the habit of reading, thanks to the dwindling public libraries at neighbourhoods. The functional and accessible major public libraries of Chennai include the Theyvanaya Pavar Library at Mount Road, Connemera – Egmore and the swanky new Anna Centenary Library.

Each of the 15 zones of the corporation has a minimum of 2 libraries or more depending upon the area population. However, if one decides to give them a visit in hopes of accessing newspapers or availing lending options, one always returns disappointed. Most corporation libraries cite that they do not subscribe to any newspaper or do not have a catalog. 

For book lovers, it is a sad state of affair that a big city like Chennai does not have ample libraries. Although people might question that the major public libraries cater to most needs, it is necessary that each neighbourhood has a functional library so that loals can access them.

In a recent proposal, the state government has allocated 60 crores to rejuvenate public libraries. Digitisation, upgrading stocks and constructing additional wings to enhance storing capacity of the public libraries are being listed as the key agenda of the ministry of education. However till the government’s game plan takes a concrete shape, Chennaiites are keeping their literary tastes alive with the help of privately-run neighbourhood libraries. 

There are not many quality books available in the institutional libraries and most of the public libraries are not located close to our homes. The popularity of these libraries proves that the state libraries need to do much more than merely allocate funds to meet the literary demands of Chennaiites.