The end of the aisles: Readers get nostalgic as British Council’s physical library in Chennai bids adieu

With the British Council Library in Chennai, a cherished cultural and academic hub since 1948, closing its physical doors as part of a transition to a digital-only model, longtime visitors reflect on the profound impact the space has had on their lives

Long empty shelves that once transported a million people of Chennai to a billion worlds stand erect in time. The halls that once sang the quiet melody of a declining art now look like empty structures. The British Council Library in Chennai, an iconic landmark that academics, scholars, students, bibliophiles and other literati thronged to over the decades, is bidding adieu to its physical form as part of the UK organisation’s move to digitalise its services. As of today, the British Council has operational physical spaces only in Delhi and Kolkata.

Janaka Pushpanathan, Director South India, British Council, says the transition is to ensure resources are used where they can make the greatest difference, and that the organisation now focuses on sustainable models to scale impact. “In recent years, audience expectations around flexibility and access have shifted strongly towards digital platforms. Globally, over 160,000 members use our digital library resources, and in India, 50,000 members across 190+ cities and 23 states now access services online, allowing us to reach far beyond metro centres,” she adds.

It is not just the library that will be missed; the British Council will vacate its 737 Anna Salai premises by March, with operations moving online until it relocates to a new space.

THE HINDU ARCHIVES: British Council Library in 1990, Chennai. | Photo Credit: THE HINDU ARCHIVES

The British Council was established in Chennai in 1948. “What began as a traditional reference and lending library gradually became a vibrant cultural and learning hub, hosting conversations, workshops, exhibitions and language learning initiatives,” says Janaka.

When I met him at the library, CS Venkataramanan stood at the entrance, hands to his hips, studying the empty hall that once held his evenings, as if waiting for the library to recognise him. “I am coming here after 10 years, and all the memories from the old days are flashing through my mind. In the evenings, after office, and sometimes, even before shift hours, I would come here,” says the 68-year-old retired Assistant Commissioner at the Ministry of Finance. Venkataramanan first visited the library in 1980, when he was working as an auditor in the city. “The digital boom hadn’t happened. There were only physical books available. The library had a different atmosphere back then, and it wasn’t as big,” he reminisces.