Anna Centenary Library (ACL), a dream project
of the former Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, was inaugurated in September,2010.
However, I had the opportunity to visit this awesome, State of the Art library
only a few days ago. I must thank Arvind, a relative from USA who persuaded me
to accompany him on his visit to the library and Jagadish , the former Director
of Library in the U.S.Consulate, Chennai, for taking us on a conducted tour of
the library.
`The
built up area of this centralized air-conditioned library is 3.75 lakh sq. ft.,
encompassing the ground and eight
floors. At present, it hosts five lakhs books covering a wide range of subjects
to serve the information needs of the public, academic and corporate community.
ACL has a Braille Section, Own Books Reading Section, Children Section,
Periodicals and Newspapers Section, Tamil books Section, an English Books
Section and an archive of old manuscripts.. In addition, the library has two fully equipped Conference Halls- one that can accommodate 150 people and another that can accommodate
1100 people( under renovation). There is also an amphitheatre with a
seating capacity of 800.. An AVIN Milk Bar and a cafeteria complete the
facilities available.`
While
Arvind went berserk shooting pictures of
palm leaf manuscripts in the archival section, I was impressed with the `Own books
reading` section which was packed with students, most of them from not so
privileged backgrounds, reading in the quiet & comfortable ambience
provided by the library. It seems hundreds of aspirants writing Public Service
examinations also patronize the library. The children`s section is equally
impressive, with facilities for conducting activity based learning.
Though
it went through a lean period during the AIADMK regime under JJ, it seems the
library is coming back to life because of the support being received from the people who
are governing Tamil Nadu now. The management has recently started having
regular literary meetings over the week-ends providing opportunities
for budding and well known authors to interact with their readers.
Undoubtedly,
Anna Centenary Library, among his other
ideas, will remain one of the most
enduring contribution of Kalaignar Karunanidhi, built to commemorate the 102nd Birth
Anniversary of his mentor ANNA. If
you have not visited this Library located on Gandhi Mandapam Road in
Kotturpuram, I will urge you to do so. You will feel proud that such a
wonderful library of International Standards, exists in our own neighbourhood
in Chennai.
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