Libraries

A crucial element of RMRL’s vision is the preservation of its collection for posterity. One of the main aspects that RMRL concentrates on is preserving existing material in alternate formats, for which the library has acquired specialized equipment. The collection is being systematically preserved through archival microfilming and digitization following International standards. Methylene Blue Test, a crucial test for determining the archival quality of microfilms is performed for microfilms made and processed at RMRL. RMRL has recently set up an audio archive. It has acquired 78 rpm records, LPs, EPs, Spools, audio cassettes. A state of the art equipment to digitize shellac records has been acquired from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA.

From the beginning Eloor has defined its vocation as providing a truly viable alternative to people who yearn for good books, but won’t buy them. It is amazing what unremitting application to a clearly perceived purpose can bring about, when kept up over long years. In the case of Eloor it has resulted in the creation of a wondrous wealth of books in each branch.

ACL has a Braille Section, Own Books Reading Section, Children Section, Periodicals and Newspapers Section, Tamil books Section and English Books Section. In addition, the library has a Conference Hall that can facilitate 200 members. One of the special features of this library is that, it is a partner of the World Digital Library (WDL). The networking of Connemara Public Library with 31 district central libraries is under way. All these libraries will be linked with Anna Centenary Library in course.

The library was as 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.Connemara Public Library at Chennai is one of the four National Depository Libraries which receive a copy of all books, newspapers and periodicals published in India.