Think libraries and you think of the British Council Library or the USIS. But not many know, let alone think of another booklover's gem -- The Madras Literary Society on College Road in
Nungambakkam.
Founded in 1812 under the English regime, it is almost unknown to Chennai residents. The society worked from Fort St George until 1906.
Today, it is housed in a beautiful red building so characteristic of the stately Indo-Saracenic style and is located within the DPI campus.
It has more than 78,000 books spanning a century-and-a-half. The books found here range from fiction to books on philosophy, literature, art and history.
The varied collection is capable of attracting both the lay reader and the serious student. The society has also rare books under its collection which can be perused at the premises itself.
And would you believe it?! The annual membership fee is a modest Rs 500 for which members are allowed to take six books at a time. There is also a wide range of current magazines and periodicals.
Probably, the best part of the society is its customer care section --this provides regular home delivery of books for a small supplementary fee.
This scheme is especially popular with senior citizens who find it difficult to access good libraries because of increasingly chaotic traffic.
MLS, as it is known, is maintained entirely from donations, grants and member subscriptions.
However, funds are increasingly hard to come by and the MLS finds it increasingly difficult to maintain the library. However, a beginning has already been made to preserve its old treasures from the adverse Chennai environment.
As the MLS approaches its 100th year in its present location, much needs to be done to preserve this library for the next generation.
Book lovers and heritage enthusiasts of Chennai must come together to work towards its conservation and improvement and at the same time enjoy its unique facilities.
For further details, please contact:
The Librarian,
The Madras Literary Society,
College Road,
Nungambakkam,
Chennai-600 008.
Ph: 8279666.
- Sabita Ramachandran
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