Maulana Library again the best

Kochi: At a time when there is a big hue and cry that reading is dying and social activities are tapering out, a library in Mattanchery is marching from a grand legacy of 56 years through a magnificent present to a promising future, lighting up the world of letters and cultural space.

The Ernakulam District Library Council in recognition of its achievements and service has for a second time bestowed the best library award in Ernakulam district on Maulana Azad Socio Cultural Centre Library and Reading Room at Panayappilli, in 2013. It was in 2004 that the library first received the award.

Apart from supplying books, the Maulana library has been holding seminars and discussions on socially relevant topics and valuable books and is a vibrant force on the cultural landscape.

The library is known for its rare 2400 reference books which are sought after by hundreds of students. The library has a students’ corner and its total book collection exceeds 10,000. The library has received the ‘A’ grade of the State Library Council. The library has published four books as well.

The library which was set up in 1958 started a mobile library way back in 1971 and also set up a library in Mattanchery sub-jail. It also started libraries for the students of Panayappalli and Fort Kochi government high schools.

The activities of the library include conducting medical camps, preventive medicine distribution, art exhibition, reading contest etc. The library received a special honour from the Central Government in 1963 in recognition of its national integration activities.