Madras Mom passes the Anna Centenary Library very often and almost always looks at it with admiration. A sleek and stunning building in Kotturpuram, it boasts of state-of-the-art infrastructure, books and facilities that include a dedicated children’s library and play area.

Madras Mom had a long overdue visit to the Library. Little Madras Girl had visited the Library with her grandmothers when it was newly opened and was hosting a Japanese Dolls’ Exhibition for the children. Both grandmothers had raved about the library.

However, life and LMG’s frequent allergies (MM thinks LMG is generally allergic to rain!) came in the way of this visit and Madras Mom’s report on it. The duo finally made the much awaited trip recently and what a wonderful experience it was.

Ironically, the visit was made during the week that the Library was in the news with an ominous shutdown in the offing. When MM came across the news, she packed LMG and her diaper bag and ran – to the Library!

Why is it that we take for granted what this city has to offer us and make a run for it only when we think it may no longer be there? Would we be motivated to take our children to Fort St. George or the Egmore Museum only if there was threat to these places as well?

The Anna Centenary Library is a beautiful resource for all families. It is one of those places where an honest taxpayer can look at and feel proud that his/her money has been put to good use.

The entrance has a gleaming statue of Anna flanked by pretty water fountains. The grounds on which the library stands have been beautifully landscaped and car parking is a breeze. The building is clean and spacious and the lifts, escalators and air­conditioners are squeaky clean, new – and they work. MM did observe that the library was constantly being swept and mopped by a band of dedicated housekeeping staff. All the floors were extremely well-lit with bright white light. It was evident much thought and care in planning had gone into designing the Library and giving it life.

LMG was delighted. She likes fancy-looking places and MM had last seen her get this much excited only at the Delhi airport and the Taj Coromandel lobby. She ran about in delight and demanded that we ride on the escalators more than once. Thankfully, the staff on duty pretended not to notice the mom and daughter duo that simply went up and down, with LMG pleading ‘Doiiin polama’?

The Anna Centenary Library

The Library has four floors with dedicated sections for various subjects. What impressed MM the most was a sprawling study hall reserved for those preparing for the Administrative Services. When she tried to enter this facility with LMG, the staff on duty politely informed her that children were not allowed. It warmed MM’s heart to see the number of students reading in this section. The shelves were lined with relevant magazines, newspapers and books on General Knowledge. A great gift from the Government to citizens who want to serve the public. Another striking feature is the large glass panels that enclose the library, allowing you to read in a peaceful atmosphere with a view of a canopy of trees.

Every wing had a staff on duty who requested you to make entries in the register before you entered. There was no noise or clutter. No signs of vandalism. No lovers using the library as a secret meeting place. Only book-lovers. No noisy ringtones spoiling the atmosphere with frequent shrills. No walking around the place and passing judgement that this was “Great by Indian standards”. It certainly conforms to international standards and is probably the most rewarding library in the country today.

There was even a dedicated staff member stationed by the escalators! Added bonuses are an information desk and a delightful coffee and snack bar. The library also offers wheelchairs and has ramp access, hard to come by in our city.

The children’s section is yet another treasure trove. The section has a small outdoor play area with plastic slides and swings for children below 6. Even that small area is beautifully designed, with soft artificial grass and seating areas for adults. The balcony offers a beautiful view of the greenery in Kotturpuram.

The indoor children’s section has colourful tables and chairs designed exclusively for children and sturdy leather couches for the adults. There is an artificial tree in the centre with hanging monkeys and birds, a treat for small children. The walls have colour­ful cartoon characters and child-friendly murals. Again, it was evident to MM that the people behind this effort had put in a lot of thought into the same.

LMG is not old enough to read as yet. However, the library offers children of her age group lovely picture books. There is a solid collection of Indian and imported books for children and MM spent quality time with LMG reading to her from Robert Munsch’s famous I will love you forever. This imported book retails for more than Rs. 500 and MM was happy to flip through it in the library because the book turned out to be really silly and will probably teach your child poor sentence structure, with the mother in the book constantly telling the child. “I will love you forever and like you for always.”

LMG ran about the various shelves collecting books of various shapes and sizes and giving them proudly to MM. She may not be able to read now but when she reaches the age when she can read, imagine her pleasure in walking into a book wonderland and having access to all these wonderful books. Testimony to that were the dozens of older children sitting quietly and reading. All the books in the children section are brand new. Imagine if only the biggest retailers in Chennai opened up their entire children’s section to the public and offered every book in there for free. Well, that description sums up the vastness of the children’s section in the Anna Centenary Library.

When MM was in high school, our current Chief Minister (who was also CM at that time) graciously agreed to be the Chief Guest for our school’s Sports Day. Being an alumna herself, she sat through the entire event and gave us one of the most memorable evenings of our school life. I distinctly remember her speech at the end of that evening. We all waited with bated breath to hear our CM speak and with her ability to hold an audience, we did not miss a word she said. In her crisp and perfect English, she advised us on the benefits of reading. She attributed her knowledge and confidence to the habit of reading and shared the information that she seldom went to sleep at night without reading a couple of pages from a good book.

Her advice is being followed every day by adults and children alike in this library.

The Anna Centenary Library is a gift we have to pass on to our children.

MM joins hands with all the Anna Centenary Library enthusiasts out there and requests the Government not to destroy this treasure trove. It will never be the same if it is shifted.

Do take your children to this library. It will bring out the child in you as well.