Libraries to open from Sept. 1 in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: Public libraries in Tamil Nadu, which have been closed since March 25 due to the coronavirus lockdown, will reopen on September 1. Only the lending, reference and reading sections will start functioning from Tuesday.

An official notification on Friday said village and branch libraries will only lend books while part-time libraries that do not have the three sections will remain closed.

There are 4636 public libraries in Tamil Nadu. Apart from the Connemara Library and the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai, there are 32 district central libraries, 1926 branch libraries, 14 mobile libraries and 749 part-time libraries.

All except the branch and village libraries will be open from 8 am to 2 pm on all working days, while branch and village libraries will function in their usual working hours (before 2 pm) on all working days.

The government has issued a standard operating procedure to be followed in the libraries to prevent the spread of coronavirus, which include face masks to be worn by staff and visitors, social distancing and use of sanitizers.