Ernakulam Public Library

Public library in Kerala, India

Ernakulam Public Library

9°58′36″N 76°16′58″E﻿ / ﻿9.976721091445834°N 76.28272582061875°E﻿ / 9.976721091445834; 76.28272582061875
Location| Convent Road, Kochi, Kerala, India
Type| Public library
Established| 1870
Collection
Items collected| books, journals, newspapers, magazines, maps, prints
Size| 150,000 books in Malayalam, Sanskrit, Tamil, Hindi and English
Access and use
Access requirements| Open to anyone with a genuine need to use the collection
Other information
Employees| 10
Website| opac.ernakulampubliclibrary.com

Ernakulam Public Library is a public library in Kochi in the state of Kerala, India. Established in 1870, it is the oldest public library in Kerala.[1] The library serves as the most important information store and cultural centre of Ernakulam and has a collection of several books on various subjects. This library contributed a lot to the social and cultural improvements of the city over the past three centuries.

## History

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Thottakattu Sankunni Menon, Diwan of the Cochin Kingdom presents his idea of a Public Library in Cochin State to Rama Varma XIV, King of Cochin.[2] Based upon this a meeting was held on 8 October 1869 at the school building premises now occupied by Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam. The first president of the library was the principal of the College, A.F. Sealy. The minutes of the meeting says : that a Public Library and Reading Room be established for the benefit of the community. Thus was born, this institution.

## Developments

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The foundation stone for new building was laid by Sri.C.Achutha Menon, the then chief Minister of Kerala and was inaugurated on 3 March 1974. The second floor was completed in the year 1977 and was inaugurated by Cardinal Joseph Parecattil. The Third Floor which consists of an auditorium was completed in June 1987.

## Facilities

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* News Paper Reading Section
* Children’s Reading Section
* General reading room
* Study Area for Aspirants
* Open Auditorium

## Membership

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The library offers memberships like Institutional Membership, Lifetime Membership, First Class Membership, Second Class Membership and Third Class Membership.[clarification needed]

Fees Structure  | Institution (I) | Life Member (L) | First Class (A) | Second Class (B) | Third Class (C)

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|
|
|
|

Admission Fee | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100
Life Membership Fee/Monthly Subscription | 50000 | 9000 | 160 | 80 | 40
Security Deposit | 0 | 0 | 2500 | 1500 | 700
Total | 50100 | 9100 | 2760 | 1680 | 840

Subscription are always payable quarterly in advance on the 1st of January, April, July and October every year. In case of admission during the quarter, the subscription for remaining calendar months should be paid in advance.

## References

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1. ^ "Ernakulam Public Library to get a facelift soon". The Hindu. 1 July 2014.
2. ^ "Eranakulam public library - History". Ernakulampubliclibrary.com. Retrieved 11 December 2018.