Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

British Library closes down

Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

LAST DAY: T.K. Subramoni, librarian of the British Library, looking on as an assistant closes the library, which ceased to function on Friday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: “It is the end of an era,” the words by Nalini Netto, Chief Electoral Officer and a long time-member of the British Library summed up the sentiments of the members who gathered here at the library on Friday evening to mark the closure of its activities in the city.

Like Ms Netto, for a majority of the members, the library had become a part of their life over the years and the “reality of its closure was yet to sink in,” even as the library staff promptly returned their deposit money and collected the books. “I don’t know what the future of this place is going to be,” said Ms. Netto. “This is a nostalgic moment for me.” Some members were busy clicking pictures of the book racks and staff with whom they had developed a personal rapport over the years.

According to T.K. Subramoni, the librarian, the entire collection including books, CD, DVD and furniture, which belongs to the British Council Division of the British Deputy High Commission, Chennai, will be donated to the State government for setting up the new library. The membership fee, however, is not transferable to the new library. “The library will also be unable to accept any applications for refunds after today,” he said. Later, as he walked out of his cabin, Mr. Subromoni broke down. “This is the place from where I got my Ph.D.,” he said in a voice choked with emotion, referring to his thesis on the contribution of British Library to Kerala society.

Even though the library ceased its functioning, the nine-member staff will officially relinquish their duties only by March 31.

“We have to disable the networks and complete the stock taking before handing it over to the State government,” said Mr. V. Visakhan a staff for 21-years.

He, along with other staff members, except Subromoni, who is retiring from service, has opted for voluntary retirement, as they “failed to secure a suitable relocation corresponding to their grades” in other branches of the library in the country.

“We have been mentally preparing for this occasion for the last one month,” said Mr. Visakhan.

“The library had given us a great deal of respect in society. We could walk into any office in the city without much hassle,” he said. “The relationship and contacts that we established over the years with people from all walks of life will certainly be missed,” he said.

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