Save British Library, Tiruvananthapuram

The petition

December 10, 2007

Mr.Rod Pryde
Director
British Council of India and Srilanka
New Delhi


Dear Mr. Pryde,

We the undersigned are regular users of the British Council Library, Tiruvananthapuram. We are deeply shocked and surprised at your decision to shut down our branch of the library from March 1, 2008. This library has been a nerve centre of many activities in this town for more than forty years. Even though small in size it is well stocked with excellent books and a staff who is always willing to help. Some of us have been members right from its inception while some of us are children who are very happy spending many hours in the small and cosy children’s room. There are many of us who are now holding very high posts in Kerala and outside who have been raised on the British Council library and its fare. Mr. Subramoni and his team have conducted a range of activities from poetry readings to book exhibitions with limited funds in the very tiny space allotted to them. In short this library has provided and continues to provide a very important service to the citizens of Tiruvananthapuram and other parts of Kerala.

In an interview to The Times of India, November 9, 2005, you have been quoted as saying:

“ Children must be encouraged to read and discuss what they have read. It is the parent’s duty to encourage their children to educate themselves. Instead of forcing them to do so, parents should try to interest them in the activity.
We have been organising workshops to educate not just the children but also the parents. It is important that libraries are constantly upgraded so that children can come there and find a space to read, write and appreciate theatre. “

In this context, we would like to reconsider your decision to shut down our library. Instead of that, we invite you to come and have a town meeting with us and find out what we would like out of an improved and upgraded library and related services in a growing town like ours. You might be aware that with the Technopark and important companies and institutions like the Space Institute locating here, this place is changing very rapidly from a sleepy town to a cosmopolitan one. The British Coucil and its library have a very crucial role to play in this development.


Sincerely,

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