From its humble beginnings in 1869, Ernakulam Public Library has evolved into one of the biggest libraries of Kerala. Ernakulam Public Library was started by public spirited persons. The result of their hard work is what you see today; a vast library of books exceeding one lakh.

About the Ernakulam Public Library

History of Ernakulam Public Library

Library Hours and Holidays

Managing committee

Staff directory

Library Policies

Current Projects

We had been representing before the Government and other authorities that increased assistance had to be upon new fields which were basically the duties of a Public Library. These included a Center for providing information on all matters of interest, a center for providing information of Job Opportunities, and a Center for providing information on educational opportunities in Indian Universities and abroad. Computerization with internet facilities was also essential. We are very happy indeed to notice that the necessity of a qualitative improvement in the facilities has been now recognized by the State Library Council, which has now started a scheme of assisting certain selected institutions as a first step in this direction. Under this scheme, this library will be getting a total amount of Rs.9,07,000/- which includes Rs.1,92,000/- for computerization and Internet, Rs.1,00,000/- for Multimedia,C.D.Rom, etc,Rs.1,00,000/- for a Photostat machine,Rs.1,00,000/- for developing the Children's Section, Rs.2,00,000/- for Career Information Section, Rs.2,00,000/- for buying books, and Rs. 15,000/- for buying software. Besides this, annual grants will also be provided as contribution towards additional amounts to be paid to the staff.

We take this as a first step in improving the resources of District Libraries to meet the expanding needs of the Public Library.

During the financial year 2006-07, 1593 persons have enrolled theselves as members.We have purchased 2444 volumes of books having face value of Rs.5,30,198 and we've received 1282 volumes of books having face value of Rs. 1,42,310 by way of gift.
This year we are making very good progress in our activities.

Future Objectives

In considering an agenda for the future, We consider improving the services in which we are at present providing and also undertaking services such as providing information of job opportunities, educational opportunties in Indian universities and abroad etc.

The arrangement of books, though planned on modern scientific methods of classification and cataloguing, needs a lot of improvement.Its high time that we seriously take up the construction of the southern block. We are very seriously in need of more space to accommodate new books and other reading material, for providing suitable space for the Members Room and the General Reading Room, for providing a Computer Room, for starting a Bindery of our own, and for accommodating a Photostat Machine. Computerisation with internet facilities was also essential.The loss of books is quite high as has been demonstrated as we attempted to take stock on a couple of occasions.There is plan to take stock more often,if possible once an year. Action would be taken to appoint more staff at least on temporary basis, as we need more work force to accomplish these tasks.

We had been representing before the Government and other authorities that increased assistance had to be upon new fields which are basically the duties of a Public Library. These included a Center for providing information on all matters of interest, a Center for providing information of Job Opportunities, and a Center fro providing information on educational opportunities in Indian Universities and abroad.

We have miles to go, and this is only a first step in the right direction. Let us hope that we will be able to keep up this tempo, and soon the Ernakulam Public Library will take its place as a Public Library fit for a large City like Cochin.