Kalaignar Centenary Library expands academic outreach through MoUs and inclusive programmes

As of June 6, Kalaignar Centenary Library in Madurai has recorded a footfall of 18,32,648 persons, including 227 international users and 6,548 registered members.
| Photo Credit: R. ASHOK

Kalaignar Centenary Library is expanding its academic and community engagement through a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with higher education institutions.

Following a recent MoU signed with Lady Doak College, discussions are under way to formalise similar agreements with The American College, Thiagarajar College, and Madurai Kamaraj University after their reopening on June 16.

According to the MoU, the initiative aims to foster educational and literary development among students. The proposed cooperation includes reading habit campaigns that focus on nurturing a culture of reading, improving literacy rates, and expanding access to diverse literary resources for people of all age groups. It also plans to establish literary platforms for students to present their creative works, thereby encouraging expression and literary engagement.

Further, the MoU outlines provisions for interactive sessions with publishers, authors, and other literary figures, especially during international book fairs, along with facilitation of internship opportunities, faculty collaborations, and mutual academic exchanges. Partner institutions are entitled to institutional membership, a provision of 25 books, reserved seats for library programmes, orientation sessions for competitive examinations, and access to IT-based learning solutions and storytelling internships.

As of June 6, the library had recorded a footfall of 18,32,648 users which includes 227 international users and 6,548 registered members, said Deputy Chief Librarian and Information Officer V. Santhana Krishnan. Students preparing for competitive examinations have also been benefiting from the mock tests and lectures conducted by the library on a regular basis, he said.

Mr. Krishnan said that the library also provides translation services to support students facing language barriers while preparing for competitive exams.

“We help students by translating complex English news into simpler English and Tamil, as we believe that language should not be a barrier to education,” he said. He added that these translated materials are also being shared with other district libraries and questions based on this content have appeared in the TNPSC examinations, reflecting its academic relevance.

In addition, the library has been offering vocational training programmes aimed at enhancing employability. A six-month VFX (visual effects) training programme has already led to placements for two students, and a new training session is scheduled from June to November. “The in-house studio can also be accessed by students to aid their learning and creative projects,” Mr. Krishnan added.

Assistant Librarian and Information Officer K. Sivagama Sundari highlighted that the Tamil section of the library has been actively contributing to the promotion of Tamil literature.

Events including talks by Tamil department heads and poets, along with special observances titled Indru were held on the death anniversaries of prominent Tamil writers.

The library’s outreach extends beyond college students. During the summer, the library hosted a programme titled ‘Kodai Kondattam’ from May 1 to 31, offering training in abacus, story writing, drawing, video editing, traditional games, zumba, chess, and basic design for children.

In addition to these, the programme also included music therapy for children, a comic making workshop, and training in the traditional Tamil folk dance oyilattam.

Ms. Maimoona, a B.Sc. Mathematics graduate who regularly uses the library to prepare for competitive examinations, said that the atmosphere in the library was particularly vibrant during May due to the presence of young children.

“It brought a positive energy to the space,” she said. She also added that the library had been extremely useful for aspirants like her, and that she had seen students coming from various towns and residing in Madurai solely to make use of the library’s resources.

Initiatives for women and senior citizens are also a part of the library’s efforts. The library recently offered a beautician course and physiotherapy training to promote self employment among women , especially among economically disadvantaged and those lacking familial support.

Eleven students have completed the beautician course and received certification, and 75 have benefited from physiotherapy training programmes.

Monthly women-focused sessions titled Yaadhumagi Nindrai Sakthi address topics such as legal rights, health awareness, cybercrime, and entrepreneurship. This month’s session, scheduled for June 21 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., will feature author B. Maha Lakshmi.

The monthly programme Vergal, conducted on the fourth Saturday of every month at 6 p.m., focuses on the well being of senior citizens. Sessions typically include expert talks by doctors on managing health and mental wellness in old age.

K. Devi Meenakshi