The nearly 100-year-old Nair Samajam Public Library, near Chendamangalam, has lived to fight another day. Drowned and nearly lost in the devastating floods of August 2018, the library has made a glorious comeback and replenished its stock of books and periodicals, thanks to generous donors and book lovers. The library was founded by the Chendamangalam Nair Samajam and has the backing of the State Library Council.
Librarian Joy P.T., who was seen downcast and nearly inconsolable at the library premises in 2018 immediately after the floodwaters receded, is today a cheerful and optimistic caretaker who believes that the word has spread its wings. Nearly 14,000 volumes of books and periodicals were damaged irreparably by the floodwaters. However, an almost equal number of books have now arrived at the library, making it rich, not only in terms of its readership but also the lessons learnt from the unprecedented floods.
As the State celebrates a week of reading in memory of the doyen of library movement P.N. Panicker, the Nair Samajam Public Library, close to the Paliyam Government Higher Secondary School, is celebrating a new lease of life. “The pangs of rebirth were long,” says Mr. Joy who has been with the library, taking care of the books and helping eager readers, for about 35 years.
