Central Library, a book lovers’ paradise

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education
The new stock of books readying for distribution to other libraries in the district at the Thanthai Periyar E.V.R. District Central Library, in Vellore, Tamilnadu. Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy / The Hindu
The new stock of books readying for distribution to other libraries in the district at the Thanthai Periyar E.V.R. District Central Library, in Vellore, Tamilnadu. Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy / The Hindu

Infantry Road in Vellore is home to a treasure trove of knowledge. It is here that the District Central Library has been functioning since the late 1950s.

Keeping in tune with the growing needs of the day, the library has recently started a separate section for persons with disabilities and expanded its facility adding a section with books for civil services aspirants, officials said.

Named after Thanthai Periyar E.V.R, the library was started in a small building in 1951. In 1956, the then Chief Minister K. Kamaraj laid the foundation stone for the present building, which was inaugurated in 1959. Today, the library boasts of 1.57 lakh books. It has 26,622 members and 286 patrons.

Every day, People visit the Thanthai Periyar E.V.R. District Central Library, Vellore, to read newspapers and periodicals. Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy / The Hindu
Every day, People visit the Thanthai Periyar E.V.R. District Central Library, Vellore, to read newspapers and periodicals. Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy / The Hindu

“ We have books in Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Hindu and English across different subjects. We get 186 periodicals and 18 newspapers,” said J. Ravi, district central librarian, Thanthai Periyar EVR District Central Library.

Every day, nearly 850 readers visit the library, while a total of 225 books are lent and 2,450 books are referred. The library also stores bulletins and gazettes from 1983.

The library follows the Colon Classification method that is based on alphabets and certain sub-classes. “This is an easy method of classification. Every year, we add at least 15,000 books to the library that is both through purchase and donation,” he added.

For civil services

In June this year, a new section was opened on the first floor for civil services and reference books at a cost of Rs. 64 lakh were added. The separate section for persons with disabilities has five to six wheelchairs. Television, DVD facility and computers are also available. “We have Braille books for the visually challenged and plans are in the offing to obtain a Braille software,” Mr. Ravi said.

There is a branch library for women, a separate section for children with internet facility. K. Anandan, district library officer, said, “The District Central Library is located at the heart of the town and hence, has a good reach among people. It is very spacious unlike most of the central libraries in other districts.”

Vellore has a total of 67 branch libraries, 69 village libraries and 42 part-time libraries. “We are tying up with the School Education department to encourage students to become members. We will be visiting schools to enrol students personally,” he added.

R. Dayalan, an artist, has been visiting the central library for 10 years. “I spend an entire day every week at the library reading short stories, periodicals and literature. There are many others who spend more time here,” he said.

Mr. Ravi noted that they have visitors from Chittoor and Bangalore too.

National Library Week

As part of the National Library Week celebrations (Nov 14 to 20), several programmes have been held at the central library, including competitions for students.

The library functions from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Persons interested in becoming patrons, can pay Rs. 1,000, while it is Rs. 5,000 for big patrons and 10,000 for donors.

The money goes into a fixed deposit and the interest is used for development of libraries, Mr. Anandan said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Puducherry / by Serene Josephine M / Vellore – November 21st, 2014