Kerala granthasala sangham

First library came into existence in Kerala was the Trivandrum Public Library. During the first quarter of the 20th century more libraries started as part of an organised movement when the All-Travancore Grandhasala Sangham came into being in 1949. Later its name was changed to Kerala Grandhasala Sangham. Adult and Non-formal Education activities in Kerala started in an organised manner with the setting up of Kerala Grandha Sala Sangham (KGS)with 47 rural libraries. Shri. P. N. Panicker, the driving spirit behind the concept, succeeded in bringing 6000 libraries into this network. These libraries functioned as good community centres where useful discussions, seminars and symposia were held for the common public. Grandhasala Sangham won the prestigious ‘Krupsakaya Award’ from UNESCO in 1975 as an endorsement of its good work. In 1979 Government of India sanctioned 40 literacy Centres in two districts (20 in each district) as per a Project submitted by KGS.

University Library, University of Kerala

University Library, University of Kerala, established in 1942, is very advanced with LAN & CD-ROM network. It has more than three lakh books and 1000 bound volumes of journals. The library subscribes 43 foreign Journals, more than 400 Indian periodicals, 35 popular magazines and 20 Newspapers. The total number of membership of the library is 30, 800 out of which student memberships comes to over 12, 270 and that of teachers comes to 2850. Microfilm reader printer, rare collection of journals in microfilm and OPAC facility are available. Internet facility is offered at slashed rates.

Kerala State Central Library www.statelibrary.kerala.gov.in

The State Central Library (Trivandrum Public Library), one of the oldest Libraries in India, was established in A. D. 1829 during the reign of H. H. Sree Swathi Thirunal Maharaja of Travancore. The work of starting and organising the Library was entrusted to Col. Edward Cadogan, the then British Resident who was the grand son of Sir Hans Sloan, the founder of the British Museum. He was the first president of the Trivandrum Public Library committee. Later a privileged class who were called to attend the Durbar of the Maharaja was allowed to enter the Library and then known as 'Trivandrum People’s Library'. In A. D. 1898 the Library handed over to government on a condition that a suitable building should be erected for the Library benefiting the Public and the government should undertake its maintenance from time to time. In 1898 it was opened to the public and the present building of architectural beauty in the Gothic style was put up in the city in commemoration of Queen Victoria. In the year 1938 A. D. the administration of the Trivandrum Public Library was handed over to University of Travancore. In 1948, the State Government took over the administration of the Library from the University. Then, in 1958 the Trivandrum Public Library was declared as ‘State Central Library’.