CONNEMARA PUBLIC LIBRARY
(Courtesy:
www.connemarapubliclibrarychennai.com}
It is a known fact that Chennai city has a well-defined place
when talking about landmark buildings, which have gone down the annals of
history. Connemara library, certainly a pride of Madras is not only haven for
book lovers and research Scholars, the building by its sheer architectural
beauty and marvel acquires a special significance as part of the history of
Madras City. Bobby Robert Bourke Connemara is actually the man behind this
historical and landmark building of Chennai, The Connemara Public Library.
Being a man of letters he understood the urgent need of a good public library
for the citizens of Madras. He converted his idea into action by laying the
foundation of the library on the 22nd of March 1890.
Though the library was constructed on the scheduled
time and was dedicated to the Public on 14th April 1896, it was only
on 5th December 1896 the library was formally inaugurated and was
opened to the general Public by the then Madras Governor Sir Arthur Eli bunk
Haw lock, naming the library “Connemara” as a mark of respect for the great man
whose desire had been fulfilled. From the date of its inauguration to this day
Connemara Library continues to enjoy a special reputation among the people of
Chennai.
Designed by H.Irvin, the then consulting Architect to the
Government of Madras, the Connemara Public Library was constructed as a
semi-circle end oblong building. le. It is a magnificent hall with a splendid
reading room and beautiful teakwood book shelves. Its ceiling is pretty to look
at. The roof is truncated semi-circle. The truncated top has a wooden ceiling.
But the two curved sides are made of colored glass pieces artistically cemented
to one another. Ornamental acanthus leaves and flowers adorn the pillars,
windows and bookshelves. The flooring is done with marble slabs brought from
Krishna District (Andhra Pradesh) through the Buckingham canal, in boats.
Its huge semi circular entrance, the beauty and elegance of
the reading rooms, Book racks made out of the costliest teak wood attract the
attention of all the irrespective of their background. . The cost of the
construction in those days was whopping amount of Rs. 5, 75,000.
In order to cope with the expected inflow of books and
increasing visitors who would visit in consequence of the new Madras Public
Libraries Act of 1948, a mezzanine teakwood flooring was added in 1952 at a
cost of Rs. 1, 30,000 for accommodating readers. The ground floor thus released
was provided with steel racks at a cost of Rs.30, 000 to accommodate books. So
in this way having about 20,080 feet of shelving space and about 27,000 sq.feet
of floor space, it accommodates about 2, 50,000 volumes on its shelves .
The Expenditure for maintaining the library is met by the
Government of Tamil Nadu. However 50% of the recurring expenditure and 2/3 of
the non-recurring expenditure in respect of maintaining the Delivery of books
Act section of this library is met by the Government of India.
·
Why previous and present State Government failed
to focus attention on the growth of this library.
·
Lord Connemara with great vision created
the Library and if proiper attention is paid by Government, this library will
attain further heights
·
Connemara is attracting nearly 2 to 2.5 lakhs visitors
/ readers every year and development of this library is essential.
·
Raising other libraries including Anna Centanary
Library is a duplication of one. Instead these liabraries can be combined at Connemara
Public Library.
·
By the same time establishing of more Childrens hospital
is vital and need of the hour.
·
Without any prejudice or reservation one must
view the shift of Anna Centanary Library from Kotturpuram.
·
The readily available building with slighter
modification for children’s hospital will definetely serve the purpose.
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