CHENNAI: The British Council Library (BCL), which is set to close its physical facility at Anna Salai as it transitions to a digital-only offer, has ended its annual withdrawn book sale earlier than scheduled after all books were sold out, the organisation informed members.
The sale, held every year for members on a first-come, first-served basis and offering books at throwaway prices, was earlier announced to run until February 15, 2026. However, the library said in a subsequent communication to members that the sale concluded on February 2 itself as the books got sold out. Several members expressed disappointment at the early conclusion of the sale as they were planning to visit the library one last time and purchase books in the sale. Across the past few days, many who had managed to go to the library sooner had posted photographs of their last book hauls on social media.
The library was also selling their books at heavily discounted prices at the recently concluded Chennai Book Fair at Nandanam.
On January 15, the library announced its transition to a strengthened digital-only offer, with more than 1.6 lakh members currently accessing its digital resources. Members were asked to return all borrowed books on or before February 15.
The British Council will vacate its current Chennai premises on Mount Road on March 31, 2026, when its lease comes to an end, and begin its digital-only operations.
The organisation has said that its Chennai operations would remain digital for now, until it relocates to a physical space better suited to its future requirements in the city.