Anna Centenary Library — A Treasure That Needs a Little Care

Anna Centenary Library has been my all-time favourite place to hang out with a book. During my postgraduate days at College of Engineering, Guindy (2012–2014), I spent most of my free time there. Anytime we got an afternoon off from classes, I would rush straight to the library - to the Computer Science division on the 6th floor. I would pick up my books, find my favourite spot - by the window, with a view towards the road, and lose myself in taking notes. I honestly don’t know how many hours I spent there during my two years at college. I didn't have to purchase a single book for my PG. Anna library had it all.

The library then had a simple, efficient system: search for your book on the library computer, get a number, and find the book. Looking up for a book was effortless because the racks were perfectly ordered. Readers were not allowed to put books back on the racks after reading - instead, librarians did it properly to avoid misplacing books. Different types of comfortable chairs and tables made it ideal for long study sessions. It wasn't a lending library, which meant you didn’t have the usual problem of a book being unavailable because someone borrowed it. 

It wasn't just me — there were thousands of others who loved and benefitted from this library.

When I heard rumours back then that the library might be converted into a hospital, my heart skipped a beat. Thankfully, the authorities decided to retain it as a library.
With IIT Madras, Anna University, and Madras University so close by, this place needed a library than anything else.

Years later, I now visit the library with my kids once in a while. But sadly, it’s not the same anymore.

It feels like the library seems to have lost its charm - atleast in the kids section.

Today, I took my 8 YO son and two of his friends to the library.

Before the visit, I had told them all about my wonderful experiences, and they were so excited - they even asked, "Can we come here every weekend?"
But after spending two hours there, when I asked, "When should we come back next?", there was no answer. The library had, unfortunately, failed to keep up their enthusiasm.

They spent 30–40 minutes just searching for the books they wanted. The books are no longer neatly arranged. Many racks stand empty, holding only their labels.
All three kids are voracious readers and were clear about what they wanted to read. But with disorganized racks and no proper guidance, finding the right book became a tiring task.

The librarians don’t seem very welcoming to children. At one point, when a child was searching for Harry Potter, the librarian said, "I'll give it to you, but make sure you give it back to me directly. Don't leave it on the table or someone else will pick it."
It left me wondering - why such restrictions? Isn’t the book there to be picked up by someone?

I also saw housekeeping staff collecting books from tables and placing them on racks. Are they trained to shelve books correctly?
Without proper shelving, it becomes hard for any reader - let alone young readers - to find what they are looking for.

It’s heartwarming to see many children visiting the library, but many of them are there to see what a library is, and not to actually sit down and read there. 

And not to forget - the condition of the restrooms is disappointing. Doors without locks are a basic concern that needs immediate attention.

Anna Centenary Library has been a beacon of knowledge for so many of us.
With just a little more care and attention, it can continue to be that magical place where young minds fall in love with books.
I sincerely hope to see it regain its charm so that many more generations can experience the same joy that we once did.