The relocation of the branch library in Korattur has irked residents. They allege that it has been moved to an ‘isolated location’.
For years, the branch library was located near the railway station in Korattur at a rented building. The library was easily accessible for readers as it was located near the railway station. Many suburban commuters would spend a couple of hours at the library before going home.
In terms of safety too, the previous location of the library was better. The area has a constant movement of people, a factor that women to visit the library.
“Also, the library was earlier located in the middle of residential colonies in Korattur making it easy for all for us, including senior citizens and children to reach the facility in a short time,” says K. Raghavan, a resident of Korattur.
According to the sources with the library, the library had to be shifted after the owner of the previous building wanted to demolish the structure and re-build it for commercial purposes.
Further, being a government facility, only a nominal rent was paid — the locality commands high rentals. “We have restrictions in terms of rent.
Being a public library, only a nominal rent could be paid. This is the reason why we were unable to find a suitable place for its relocation, for many months. Luckily, the library has neither merged with another library away from the neighbourhood, nor closed down,” said a source with the library.
The existing library is located near Old Post Office Road, off the railway station. Unlike the previous building, the present library is cramped. It has limited seating arrangements and poor ventilation. Books are arranged in small shelves. The facility neither has adequate toilet facilities nor water taps for visitors.
More importantly, the library is far away from the railway station. Though the library is open till 8 p.m. daily, the stretch where the facility is located remains deserted after sunset.
“We have to spend at least 20 minutes to reach the library from the other side of the railway station where most of the residential colonies are located. Such public facilities should be located on busy stretches in the neighbourhood,” says S.Kavitha, a resident of Korattur
