British Council’s physical library in Chennai turns its last page

A communication from British Council Chennai notes the physical library shuts down on February 15. Library services will however continue in an enhanced digital format. In a larger development, the Council will be shifting to a new space, relinquishing its famous address, 737 Anna Salai

British Council Library (BCL) is shrinking its physical presence in Chennai, in fact almost obliterating it, to pay undivided attention to expanding its digital reach. That should not push up eyebrows in Chennai that have been tracking a BCL trend across Indian metros. In Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Pune, BCL shut down its physical libraries in 2020 and went fully digital, responding robustly to the technological inflexion point resulting from the pandemic. Currently, its physical libraries are restricted to its Kolkata and Delhi centres.

The British Council Chennai (BCC) facility, tucked away behind Devaneya Pavanar District Central Library on Anna Salai, is also set to see a change of address.

BCC has started preparing its members for these changes. An email communication titled ‘An important update on Chennai library membership services’ notes that its digital-only model will come into effect on March 31, 2026, and members will have access to the physical library until February 15, 2026.

Members are asked to return their books on or before this date.

Reportedly, this digital transformation mirrors the reading preferences of members. The email communication notes that it has 16,000 members currently accessing its digital resources. The communication also outlines online features the library is offering to serve the changing expectations of members.

BCC will also be vacating its current Chennai premises when the lease comes to an end in March 2026. “Our Chennai operations will move temporarily to an online mode till we relocate to a more appropriate space, in keeping with our future operating needs,” says the note.