Archiving the tomes

The Trivandrum Public Library, one of the oldest libraries in India and the first in Kerala, turns 175 this year.

ONE AMONG the oldest libraries in India and the first in Kerala, the Trivandrum Public Library turns 175 this year. This institution housed in the Old Traveller's Bungalow has a special status on the cultural map of Kerala. To many people, a membership in the Library is a matter of prestige. Academicians, researchers and intellectuals consider this institution a treasure trove of information. For youngsters, this grand old temple of knowledge opens up a new world.

The library was set up during the reign of Swathi Tirunal, ruler of erstwhile Travancore, in 1829 A.D., a few years before the Imperial Library of Calcutta and the National Library were established.

Interestingly, the first President of the Trivandrum Public Library Committee, the then British Resident, Col. Edward Cadogan was the grandson of Sir Hans Sloan. Sloan was the founder of the British Museum. In the beginning, only the privileged class who were members of the Royal Durbar were entitled to a membership in the Library. However, by 1890s, the institution was opened to the public. Though the initial location is unknown today, it is believed that by 1847 the library had started functioning in the present building, which earlier served as the Traveller's Bungalow of erstwhile Travancore.

The library is ranked among the best in south India. But what distinguishes it from others of its kind is its close association with the literary and cultural heritage of Kerala. It was in 1958 that the Trivandrum Public Library was declared the `State Central Library'. Now, the institution functions under the Department of Higher Education, Government of Kerala.

Today, the library has to its credit more than 2,80,000 books. It subscribes to more than 20 dailies and nearly 130 journals. Thousands of books in English, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Sanskrit in various subjects are part of the institution's prized collections. "The library also has many rare books dealing with various subjects," says B. Daivadathan, State Librarian-in-charge.

Another feature of the Library is a special collection of books donated by eminent personalities such as V. K. Krishna Menon, Prof. Nandan Menon, Prof. N. Gopala Pillai and Sreerangam Vikramon Nair, who once frequented this institution. Though it is a Government-run institution, the authorities in charge at the library try to keep up with the changing times. This year, the library opened an Internet browsing centre. The centre has a dozen computer systems and members can use them at a nominal rate. Efforts are made to update the different sections, says Daivadathan. Rare books are kept in a closed reference section. Another mammoth task is to preserve the old collection of rare books, he says. Digitisation of such books is on the cards, he adds.

The reference section of the library has been air-conditioned for the convenience of the members, says Daivadathan. Prof. M. Krishnan Nair, critic and orator, whose association with the library began during his school days says, that the Library has to improve to keep up its status as a centre of excellence. The Malayalam and Sanskrit sections, says Krishnan Nair, were excellent in the past, but today, many of the rare books have gone missing from the Library. If the reason for such problems is the shortage of staff, the problem should be addressed at the earliest, he adds. Selection of books should be more effective and more books of literary importance and works of world-renowned writers including classics should be added to the existing collection in the Library, he says.

Academicians and book lovers echo the views and concerns of Krishnan Nair. "Modernisation of the library is important. The classification of books and the way in which the books are arranged should be made user-friendly like other world class libraries," says Dr. Vasudevan, head, Department of Malayalam, University College. Even sections catering to cinema and contemporary theatre should have a good collection of books. Things could be streamlined if the Library were to have a team comprising intellectuals and book lovers, feels Dr. Vasudevan.

The history of the State is incomplete without the Trivandrum Public Library and book lovers in Kerala look forward to seeing this institution emerge as the best in India.

M. S. VIDYANANDAN

Photo: S. Mahinsha

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