It is said that the Library's beginnings go back to 1861, when hundreds of books were found surplus in the libraries of Haileybury College (where Indian Civilians were trained in England). These books were sent to the Madras Government and it was later handed over to the Madras Museum. Conceived on the lines of the British Museum Library, it was part of the Madras Museum till 1890 when the need was felt for 'a free public library'.

The library was part of a cultural complex that grew in the grounds of what was once called 'The Pantheon'. The entire complex now boasts buildings that reflect architectural unity, even while demonstrating the various stages of Indo-Saracenic development, from Gothic-Byzantine to Rajput Mughal and Southern Hindu Deccani.  Presiding over the exquisite woodcarvings, stained-glass panes and elegantly painted roof at the Old Building- which is not open to the public - is Roy Choudhry's bust of Mahatma Gandhi.  The Connemara is a place where gems can be found at every corner, but only by the discerning eye.

                       

A grand three storied building with 50000 sq.ft was built at a cost of Rs.50 lakhs in 1974. As a part of the centenary celebrations an additional three storeyed building with a floor space of 21,235 sq.ft was opened on 24th, June 1999. Some of the improvisations in the last 2 decades have been the computer unit installed in 1991, internet facility added in 1999, internet browsing center opened in 2005 and the Vacuum fumigation chamber installed in 2006.

Over six lakh books are available in the library. Nowhere else can the public find free access to a 10-volume ‘Encyclopedia of Astronomy’, Greek and Latin works, ‘Wellesley's Despatches’, ‘A History of Oratory in Parliament 1213-1913’ and many more.

Modernization and scientific preservation are yet to find form at this great institution, although the time-tested method of sealing the pages with chiffon cloth is still effectively used in maintaining old literature. 

The library, according to old timers, helped shape the thought of many who later became leaders in public life, including at least two former Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, M Bakthavatsalam and C N Annadurai.

Click here to give your feedback on this issue