Hello Friends,
If you have driven past Kottupuram and trying to reach Adyar, there is not a chance that you may have missed the monolithic structure on the right – the Anna Centenary Library (ACL). It is a colossal structure with eight floors of books and with a conference hall in the ground floor. Inaugurated by Kalaignar Karunanidhi in 2010 this is a state owned library offering abundant reading opportunities to Chennai.
Starting with an own books section, e library and exclusive children’s area the library is a storehouse of information. Every floor has a topic chosen and books are available on the same. From Science, History, Geography, Technology, Engineering and so on it is reader’s delight. For studious students this is a haven to study in peace. Many IAS aspirants are finding this space extremely useful. Ground floor also accommodates a Braille section. Large and comfortable tables placed near the windows give a panoramic view of the busy Kotturpuram road down below. And the view from the 7th floor is superb!
The front security desk is methodical in collecting your bags and belongings before you enter the premises. So do travel light if you plan to spend hours with in the library premises. Escalators, elevators make the movement within the library easy and quick. There is an Aavin booth that offers delicious flavoured milk and ice cream. Then there is a canteen in the backyard offering food items at subsidized rates and sufficient parking space for two and four wheelers. Entry is free! After all the power wars between the AIADMK and DMK and several times the library was almost to be converted into a hospital, it still manages to function
We were there on a Saturday afternoon, and it was fairly crowded. But then the library is such a vast structure that people do seem to be lost with in its large premises. That brings me to the fundamental question – how safe is it for women on a weekday when there is not much of a crowd.
Here is a inside view of the library:
The front lobby
Escalators that take you upto the mezzanine
Rows and rows of books
Fiction for all the novel lovers
Children’s section that is decorated well
Comfortable seating arrangement
The view from the top floor
Aavin counter for refreshments
Floor wise listing
Useful Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Centenary_Library
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-library-with-no-members/article4396808.ece
http://www.annacentenarylibrary.org/
Cheers
Bhuvana Rajaram
