It is easy to miss this tiny shop on Mandaveli Street. For most residents though, it’s a landmark.
Leo Library has been functioning from this cubby hole for over 28 years, serving as a symbol of the continuing relevance of books. Its strength — 2,000 members — indicates that lending libraries have a future.
“Many still love to hold a book, preferring it to its online version. That is what has kept me in the business for so long,” says 78-year-old Janaki Neelamani, the owner, who is fondly called ‘library mami’ by her customers.
Janaki’s interest in books was kindled by her late husband K.P. Neelamani, who was a writer and journalist. Coming from a Malayali family, she hardly knew Tamil, but her husband made sure she learnt it so well that she became a writer herself. “We would study through the nights. Many prolific Tamil writers, who were friends, would also train me. I owe a lot to veteran writers such as La Sa Ra and poet Pichamoorthy. With their support I was able to write and publish a novel and a few short stories,” she says.
With racks and racks of books at home, she thought of starting a library of her own. Except for a few English comics and novels for children, the Library stacks only Tamil books. “Most of the books are by old Tamil writers. Some rare collections I usually don’t lend out,” she says.
Janaki has won awards from the State government for her writings. She was also recognised by Swadeshi Patrika and conferred the Shakthi Sadhana Award for excellence in a chosen career.
After such a long run, Janaki is planning to hand over the reins to her elder daughter Gayathri Baskar. Before that, she wants her novel, Kadalai Thedatha Nadhi, to be made into a serial. She has already written the screenplay for her dream project. The Library is open on all days, including Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Membership is Rs. 100. Lending price ranges from Rs. 7 to 30, depending on the book.
Address: 37, Mandaveli Street.
