LIBRARY

(1) Brief Note of the Library inception :
 
(a) Building :
 
The  present building of the Govt:  Public Library,  Mahe  was constructed on behalf of "  Purva  Vidhyarthi  Samaj  ", Mahe, which was originated by the amalgamation  of  the Association  des-Anciens  Eleves de' Mahe' (MEMBERS  OF  LEARNING CITIZENS  OF THE LOCALITY) and students of Labourdannais  College (Vidhyarthi Samaj, Mahe) Mahe during 1918.

(b) Handing over of building to Government:
 
After  construction of the building in an  ideal surroundings,  they were able to run a Library and  reading  room without interruption.

Some of the well wishers of the Samaj felt  that  a  good  Public Library was a long felt need  in  this  locality. Thus  when a suggestion was mooted, they offered that it be  converted  into  a  full fledged Government Library  just  like  the  BIBLIOTHEQUE, PUBLIC OF PONDICHERRY.


The  Government  accepted the proposal  and  in  this connection the vital role played by Sri: C.S. SHESHADRI, I. A. S, then Administrator, Mahe is worth mentioning. The handing over ceremony of the building and Library was  carried  out on 15th August, 1955 and it was carved  on  the wall of the reading room as follows :-


" BIBLIOTHEQUE PUBLIQUE "
DON FAIT -- PAR
L' ASSOCIATION
DES ANCIENS -- ELEVES
1918 --- 1955
AU GOUVERNEMENT
MAHE, LE,' AOUT - 1955 "
 

(2) Present Stock Position in different vernacular :

         Language Nos: of Books                           Total
 
        (a) English                                                10,000
        (b) Malayalam                                           18,000
        (c) Hindi                                                     1,000
        (d) Tamil                                                       750
        (e) Telugu                                                       50
        (f) French                                      500      30,300
 

(3) Membership of both --- (Adult & Children):
 
Adult : 2,700 Children : 200 Total:2,900.


4) Number of periodicals and Magazines:

Dailies : 20 Nos. Magazines : 95 nos.
 

(5) Average Books issue per day :
    150 books per day.


(6) Books received from RRLF in both Matching and non-matching
Scheme :
 

                     400 Books per year.

(7) Area covered under the purview of Library staff position :
 

(a) Book issue
(b) Reference Service
(c) Carrier Guidance

(8) Other Special mention/Information :
 
Once our MALAYALA RATNA Award winner and world  famous Malayalam Novelist, Thiru: M. MUKUNDAN, stated in a public speech that  the Government Public Library, Mahe gave him much  inspiration to develop his writing ability. He was stated to be regularvisitor of the Library during his School days.


The  great  Freedom Fighter and  first  Administrator,  Mahe,  Thiru:  I.  K. KUMARAN MASTER, " MALAYALA  RATNA  "  Award winner, Thiru: M. RAGHAVAN, are among the eminent personalities who made use of the Library for developing their Socio,  Cultural and Literary abilities.