Goschen library finds its readers again after restoration

At the newly-restored Goschen library, an elderly resident of Chintadripet, Padmavathi, stood browsing through the rows of Tamil novels with two other books in her arm that she planned to borrow. With visible fascination, she told the librarian how she used to visit the library many decades ago before it fell into dilapidation, and how she finally gets to walk through its doors again.

Another visitor Saravanan N., said the library engulfed him in childhood nostalgia from nearly two decades ago when he used to visit the place right after school.

​Opened to visitors just last week by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, the librarian-in-charge Dhinakaran D.P., says around 50 visitors now make use of the library every day.

As it approaches its 100th year on January 23, it has been restored and renovated by the Public Works Department at a cost of ₹2.36 crore. While the building holds its historic character, the library opens to modern facilities including a children’s reading room with round carrel-style reading tables, children’s magazines, and two shelves full of science books, short stories and encyclopedias both in English and Tamil.

Something that stands out at Goschen library today is its exclusive reading room for women with nearly 3000 books on women empowerment, fiction, non fiction, and works written by women.

Beyond newspapers and magazines, the lending section includes literature, history, medicine, and fiction in Tamil largely, with a row for English that has contemporary authors such as Madeline Miller, John Green alongside many classics.

“We have a total of 18,000 books along with full facilities for preparing for competitive exams. There are dedicated reading materials, a separate space with three computers, Wifi access for those bringing their own laptops and the halls are fitted with seven air conditioners,” said Mr. Dhinakaran.

The library also has refurbished toilets and an airy backyard space for readers. “We are in discussion with a nearby school to bring middle-school students to the children’s section for a dedicated library hour every week. Many such initiatives will take shape in future,” he added.

District Library Officer Kavitha M., said that Goschen library has long been the landmark for many heritage walks since it is a complete heritage structure with indo-saracenic style on the outside with a Madras terrace roof within. The membership fee is ₹30, with ₹10 as yearly subscription to borrow books.