A day after the State government's announcement that the Anna Centenary Library in Kotturpuram will be converted into a super-specialty paediatric hospital public outcry welled up on social networking sites and other forums. The library also saw a large turnout, despite the rain, on Thursday. According to sources, the library could have been visited by over 1,200 people, some of whom came in groups and mainly out of curiosity to see if it was the last day for allowing visitors.
The feedback book on the ground floor had many anxious students of ‘Bring your own book reading section' leaving a message or two for the authorities. A few of them wrote that the library was a great gift for the student community and even if the building was to be converted into a hospital, let a small section of the library also remain. Others such as Arun Raj, an engineering student, were surprised when a library staff asked him if he had given his feedback on the book. “The book is always there but what surprised me was the reminder. Perhaps it was a small way to mobilise support for the government to revoke its decision,” he said. The anxiety among student community was evident as many kept discussing how long they could come, when will the new library come up and will it also have similar facilities.
On social networking site Facebook, the ‘Save Anna Centenary Library' page was full of comments. Another petition to the Chief Minister on www.change.org to withdraw shifting of the library was asking public to sign.
Speculation among the library staff whether all would be accommodated in the upcoming library only increased as they have not been addressed. Meanwhile, the catalogue of books would be available online, say sources.