“Excellent collection, neat display…. lending of books may be arranged at the earliest,” reads a suggestion in the visitor's book kept in the children's section of the Anna Centenary Library in Kotturpuram. The comment, dated September 12, 2011, is signed by A.Ambigapathi, a visitor.
It has been a year since the library was inaugurated, but visitors cannot borrow books, as the library is yet to open up memberships. “This is one of the best libraries I have ever seen. I come here regularly, pick up a book, sit for hours together. The reading space is very well-lit, quiet and comfortable,” says G.R. Manoharan, who has revived his reading habit post-retirement.
G. Seethalakshmi, seating in a corner in the Tamil section, was engrossed in her novel. “I love reading Sujatha and Lakshmi. I go to the newspapers and periodicals section first, and then come here,” says the resident of Kandanchavadi.
If some visitors, like her, come there to relax others such as Ramadas Rakesh feel it is a great place for anyone preparing for an examination. The aspiring chartered accountant comes to the library at 10 every morning and leaves only by 4 p.m. “I am studying for an upcoming examination. I take short breaks to browse through the newspapers and periodicals section,” he says.
Not very far from his couch was a table crowded with persons burying their heads into their books, occasionally making points in their notebooks.
The civil service aspirants say they spend a lot of time in the library, as it has a good collection, covering a diverse range of subjects. The Anna Centenary Library has over five lakh titles, across disciplines. The best of publications in various subjects were sourced after consulting reputable educational institution.
Sign boards
Observing that the library was maintained very well, visitors say that if a few sign boards are put up at different points, new visitors will be able to navigate the facility easily. The library gets hundreds of visitors every day, with the crowd increasing in the evenings during the week. During weekends, the different sections are virtually packed. The children's section for instance, has about 500 to 1,000 children on Saturdays and Sundays.
A decision is yet to be taken with regard to opening up memberships.
