Part-time public library in a state of neglect

Residents like V Hemraj, who has been batting for better care and concern for public libraries, said that he has never seen the library open. “I pass by this route every day. I have not seen the library open or anyone cleaning the place. It is no different from other public libraries in this part of the city, be it near the Pencil Factory or Royapuram or in Washermenpet.” Part-time libraries are scheduled to function between 8 am and 11 am in the morning, while branch libraries function for three hours each in the morning and evening.

There are about 19 part-time branch libraries in the state and most of them are in the same state as the one in Periamet. “The full-time libraries and the big ones like Anna Centenary Library are maintained well. But the authorities are not concerned about the branch and the part-time libraries,” said a member of the Madras Library Association.

Hemraj said that the libraries are a great source of recreation for youngsters like him. “We don’t have much space for reading and the private libraries are a costlier option. These libraries with a stock of everyday dailies, different genres of Tamil writing can help us youngsters develop a reading habit,” he said.

While the School Education Department officials were not available for comment, a senior official from Zone 5- Royapuram said that timely cleaning of roads under the wards were being undertaken, adding that the maintenance fell under the internal responsibility of the libraries.