It has managed to remain relevant even while Internet has replaced books as reference material for many

One of the oldest libraries in the country, Karnataka State Central Library (KSCL), has managed to remain relevant for academics, students and other people even while the Internet has replaced books as reference material for many. The centenary of the library, housed in the historic Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall at Cubbon Park, is belatedly being celebrated on Sunday. The library turned 100 in 2015.

“Students from weaker sections of society, especially from rural parts, who cannot afford to buy books are making use of this library,” said Satishkumar Hosmani, Director, Department of Libraries. According to him, over 60 students, who used this library extensively, have cracked UPSC exams and many more have cleared the KPSC exams.

Many students from north India, who come to work in the IT and biotechnology sectors and are dreaming of becoming bureaucrats, are making use of the competitive section of the library. Ahmed Aziz, an MBBS graduate who is preparing for his MS entrance, spends nearly eight hours a day in the library, along with his friend Ankit Bhojani.

However, some complain about the need for more frequent upgrading. “There is a need for constant upgrading of the competitive and technical sections, especially in engineering and medical sciences subjects,” said a student who did not wish to be named.

“Owing to lack of space, students sit on the stairs of the library and use the library till the last bell,” said Prema Murthy, who heads the competitive section.

Besides bringing their own study material, Shashi Kiran and Akhila, who have taken CA entrance, make use of reference books. According to librarian S. Umadevi, the library has major titles of engineering faculty and 2,000 titles are available for those taking competitive exams.

The building of the KSCL was built with a public subscription of ₹1 lakh. Initially membership driven, it transformed into an aided-library in 1920. Started with meagre 4,750 books and 215 members, the library has gradually grown. Now considered to be one of the best State libraries, it has received the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation award in 1999.

This library started receiving grants from the government, municipality, and civil and military station municipalities from 1943 and was managed and maintained by a managing committee initially. In November 1966, the library was taken over by the government of Mysore. It became a reference library in 1986.

European styled structure

European styled Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, with Tuscan and Corinthian columns, is one of the most legendary and historically significant buildings of Bengaluru. This imposing structure in Pompeian red amid the greenery of Cubbon Park, with a beautiful rose garden in the front, was built in memory of Diwan of Mysore Sir K. Seshadri Iyer (1883–1901).

Diwan of Mysore Sir M. Visvesvaraya donated this structure to the State Public Library on May 1, 1915. This century-old building got renovated at a cost of ₹1 crore recently.

Inauguration of renovated library on Sunday

The renovated building of the century-old Karnataka State Central Library will be inaugurated on Sunday by Minister for Primary and Higher Education Tanvir Sait. He will be releasing Shatamanada Belaku, a volume edited by writer Shudra Srinivas, to mark the centenary year of the KSCL.

While Minister for Bengaluru Development K.J. George will launch the Internet centre of the library, Housing Minister M. Krishnappa will release an e-index of the books. Mayor G. Padmavathi will release Jnanadegula, a documentary about the KSCL. Minister for Fisheries, Sports and Youth Affairs Pramod Madhwaraj will release a special stamp with an image of the imposing structure and a first-day cover on the occasion.