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The knowledge and study centre in Chromepet is a modern facility with a sunlit hall, ergonomic seating, air conditioners, books for competitive exam aspirants, and a bank of computers, all accessible from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, the centre is yet to live up to its full potential, say local activists.
“This is the only library built by the Corporation in Chromepet. There is a staff member, but it lacks a full-time librarian. Moreover, students end up using their own laptops, as the ones at the library do not provide a stable Wi-Fi connection,” says J. Moses, a social activist and regular visitor to the library, which was inaugurated in Bharathipuram early last year.
“Moreover, it features educational books of the same publication only,” he added.
Social activist V. Santhanam adds that people know little about the facility, and as a result, the hall remains underutilised. “A lot of students in the neighbourhood do not know about this facility. If a ‘knowledge’ centre needs to run successfully, more outreach is required. It has ample space for holding lecture sessions for aspirants,” he said.
While most public libraries have a token system to store bags, the students visiting the centre leave their belongings in a corner.
“The centre has enough seats inside, but for those spending their whole day here, there is no provision for outdoor dining and facilities to dispose waste,” Mr. Moses said.
When contacted, an official from the zone said that a designated librarian had been newly appointed after taking into account the concerns of the residents. “Additionally, seamless Wi-Fi connectivity has been established. Arrangements for outdoor seating for lunch will be made soon,” the official said.
Published – July 15, 2025 12:29 am IST
