Chennai is a wonderful place because you have a lot to explore here. Wait a minute I am not talking about any entertainment Centre or a historical monument but something more precious and important than all of these. Let me take you to the ocean of knowledge and paradise for History and literature enthusiasts.It is the Connemara Public Library which was established on 5th December 1896 in a complex which previously known as Pantheon complex at Egmore in Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu. You must be thinking what is new about this library? Let me inform you that this public library is one of the four National Depository Libraries that compulsorily receives one copy of all books, newspapers and periodicals published in the country. Now you have understood why I called it an ocean of knowledge. It has rare collection of books, journals, magazines, Braille books, manuscripts, digital audio and videos, etc. the collection of some books and journals here is as old as hundred years and since then they are used that is why you may find their condition is not quite good.You may find many repair marks on these books but still they are a good source of knowledge for those who are seeking something from that era. This library was actually set up in the year 1861 but not as a public library. It was founded as a part of Madras Museum. Later on in the year 1896 the Governor of Madras currently known as Chennai Presidency Lord Connemara turned it into a public library and since then it has witnesses millions of visitors. The very impressive old building of library was designed by architect Henry Irwin. But currently the library is shifted to the new multi-storeyed building in order to preserve the old structure of the library.The collection in the library is rapidly growing since its inception and you can find here more than 6, 00,000 books.The library resides in a complex which was a part of cultural campus which was initially known as the Pantheon. But now the premises has many building representing architectural developments of different times including Indo Saracenic, Gothicneo Byzantine, Rajput Mughal, Southern Hindu Deccani, etc. the library is now operating from the new building which was established in the year 1973. This building has old books section, text book section, periodical hall, reference room, video room, a complete floor dedicated to books from Indian languages, a special section with books in Braille language and an IAS study centre. Soon the entire library will be computerised in order to make it easy to access books.Some of the rarest collection of this precious library is as under:
- The Bible (published in 1608)
- Rheed et al.’s 12 volume Hourtus Indicus Malabaricus (published in 1678-1703)
- Charles Lockyer’s An Account of the Trade in India (1711)
- An Account of the Religion and Government, Learning and Economy (1717)
- Nicolai Laverrntii Burmanni’s Flora Indica (1768)
- A Voyage to Suratt in the Years 1689 by J. Ovington (1696)
You do not need to pay anything to visit the library but if you want to become a member you need to pay Rs. 50 as an annual subscription. By paying Rs. 300 you can borrow up to six books. You may notice some foreigners and tourists from other parts of country visiting the library.Address:Egmore, Chennai, Tamil NaduWebsite:www.connemarapubliclibrarychennai.comContact number: +91-044-28193751RUCHI MAHAJANзайм на карту без отказов круглосуточновзять кредит онлайн