History

        The Trivandrum Public Library is one of the oldest Libraries in India. It was established in the year 1829 A.D. during the reign of His Highness Sree  Swathi Thirunal Maharaja of Travencore. The work of starting and organising the Library was entrusted to Col.Edward Cadogan, then the British Resident who was the grand son of  Sir Hans Sloan, the founder of the British Museum. He was the first president of the Trivandrum Public Library committee, which managed the affairs of the Library. The successors of His Highness Sree Swathi Thirunal and the British  Resident Col. Cadogan took active interest in the advancement and  progress of the Library. At that time only a privileged class who were called to attend the Durbar of His Highness the Maharaja was  allowed admission to the Library. The Library was then known as “Trivandrum People’s Library”. 

        In the year 1898 AD the assets of Trivandrum People’s Library were transferred to the administrative control of Government on condition that ‘ A suitable building should be erected for housing the Library for the benefit of the Public and that  Government should undertake its maintenance in a suitable manner under such regulations as the Government may deem fit from time to time’. In 1898 this institution was opened to the public.

        His Highness Sree Moolam Thirunal ,took a special interest in the development of this library. He ordered the construction of a beautiful building for housing the library. In 1900 AD the present building of architectural beauty in the Gothic style was put up in Trivandrum City in commemoration  of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Victoria.

        In the year 1938 A. D. the administration of the Trivandrum Public Library was handed over to University of Travancore. In 1948 by a resolution of the State Legislature, the State Government was directed to take over the administration of the Library from the University.

        In the year 1958 , the Trivandrum Public Library was   declared as ‘State Central Library’ .Subsequently in the year 1988 the library was given the status of a minor department under the administrative control of Higher Education Department.  In the year 1992  Government declared Malayalam as the official language of this department.

Internet browsing center

The internet browsing center in the trivandrum Public Library was inaugurated on 15.03.2004. The working hours of Internet browsing center will be the normal working hours of the Public Library.
Browsing rate
For members : Rs. 10/- per hour ; Rs. 8/- per 1/2 hour
For Non members : Rs. 15 per hour ; Rs. 10 per 1/2 hour
Other Rates
1. Scanning per page : Rs. 10/- including printing or copying in Floppy(Fresh Floppy to be produced by the user)
2. C.D. Writing : Rs. 30/- per CD (Fresh CD to be produced by the user)
3. Laser printing A4 size : Rs. 5/-
4. Inkjet colour A4 Text & Graphics : Rs. 20/-
Terms and Cpnditions
All services provided at the internet browsing center of the State Central Library will be available against payment on a first come first serve basis

Contact Address

B. DAIVADATHAN (State Librarian in Charge)
State Librarian
State Central Library
(Trivandrum Public Library)
Palayam, Vikas Bhavan,PO.
Thiruvananthapuram - 695033

Telephone No. 0471 - 2322895

Organization of the Library

 The administration of the Trivandrum Public Library is under a 19 member  Advisory Committee appointed by the  Government with the Principal Secretary, Higher Education as the President. The State Librarian who is the head of the Department acts as the convenor of this Committee.

 Membership

The library offers individual membership which is open to all natives of Kerala State. There are four categories of  membership - 'A class, 'B' class 'C' class &  'D' class. A refundable  deposit  is collected  at the time of admission . No monthly or annual subscription is levied. (Membership Form)


Deposit Amount & Privileges-

A Class  -     Rs. 400.00         5 Books & 2 Journals at a time.
B Class  -     Rs. 300.00         3 Books & 2 Journals  at a time.
C Class -      Rs. 200.00         2 Books & 1 Journal   at a  time. 
D Class -      Rs. 100.00        1 Book   & 1 Journal  at  a time.

The above deposit is refundable on member’s written request by clearing all Library dues and surrendering all borrower’s Tickets & Identity Card.

Documents required with Application form.

1). Three stamp size photographs (One to be affixed on the application form).   
2). Proof for Residential address- Electoral Identity Card / Driving Licence /   Passport .
3). Admission is restricted for children above 14 years of age on production of the Electoral Identity card of their parents.

Library Collection

Books

The library has a total collection of 2,81,803  documents in different languages such as English, Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Sanskrit in various disciplines.

Journals

The library subscribes 21 dailies and 127 journals.
Language wise details-

Apart from this library is receiving several periodicals as gift from individuals  and institutions.

Special Collections

Library is  holding special   collections donated by Sri. V.K. KrishnaMenon,   Prof. NandanMenon, Prof. N.Gopalapillai & Sri. Sreerangam Vikramon Nair.

Reservation & Renewal of Books

Members can reserve any book in the holdings of the Library except Reference Books . Borrowed books can be renewed once over telephone, thro’ post or in person, unless there is no reservation for the book requested. Subsequent renewal can be done only on production of the borrowed book.

Overdue Charges-

An amount of 25ps per day is charged for each item (both Books & journals) as overdue charge for belated return. If any of the library materials renewed once is not returned on or before the extended due date, overdue charges will be levied from the original stamped due date. Renewal of books is allowed twice only. 

Books/Journals Lost-

The lose  may be reported to the librarian in writing . The  member  may  either replace the same copy of the book or remit the cost as decided by the state librarian from time to time along with the overdue charges if any .

Regarding journals the lost item should be replaced either by submitting it’s current issue along with overdue charges if any or by remitting the cost as decided by State Librarian.

Any amount due to this library from members on account of loss or damage to books or any other library materials and any other dues declared by the convener shall be recovered as per the Revenue Recovery Act if such dues are not cleared otherwise.

Services Offered:

• Lending Service
  
  B ooks except reference books and journals are loaned to members for Home reading.
  Loan Duration ;Books -     30 days (inclusive of Holidays)    Journals -    7 days ( do )

Reference Service

A well furnished A/C Reference & Information Centre is functioning in the first floor . The rich reference sources are open to the members from 8.30 a.m to 7 p.m. on all working days and on sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reprographic facility is also provided . Admission is restricted for members.

Reprographic Service

Xerox copy of relevant pages of Books & Periodicals available in the library will be issued subject to the provisions of Copy right Act. This service is chargeable .

Gazette  Extracts

Certified & Non Certified extracts of  Kerala Government Gazette will be issued on written request. This chargeable service is made available on all working days except on Sundays during library office hours (10a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Date  Conversion Certificate

Date conversion certificate from Malayalam Era to Christian Era & vice versa is issued on written request. This service is chargeable @ Rs.2 / certificate. This service is available on all working days from 10.15 a.m to 4.30 p.m except sundays

Working Hours

8 a.m -  8 p.m.
Lending Hours ( Books & journals) --Monday thro’ Saturday-    8.30 a.m.  –  11.30 a.m. &  4 p.m. -    7p.m.      
Sundays:-  8 a.m  -  2 p.m   
Member’s Reading Room & General Reading room will kept open from 8 a.m. to 8p.m on all working days and on  sundays from 8 a.m to 2 p.m .

Closed Reference  Section:-  

Rare old books, back volumes  of Journals and dailies are kept here for reference. Admission is given to users on written request . Xerox copies of the relevant informations will be issued subject to the provisions of copyright act.
Working Hours-
Monday thro’ Saturday -  10.15 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. on all working days except Sundays.

Certificate Course in Library & Information Science (C LISc)

This library is conducting certificate course in Library and information Science. Duration of the course is 6months. Total number of seats  40.   

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

(a) How to be a member ?      

The library offers individual membership which is open to all natives of Kerala State. There are four categories of  membership - 'A class, 'B' class 'C' class &  'D' class. A refundable  deposit  is collected  at the time of admission . No monthly or annual subscription is levied.

(b) What are the norms for Children Membership?   

The library offers individual membership which is open to all natives of Kerala State. There are four categories of  membership - 'A class, 'B' class 'C' class &  'D' class. A refundable  deposit  is collected  at the time of admission . No monthly or annual subscription is levied.

Documents required with Application form.
1). Three stamp size photographs (One to be affixed on the application form).   
2). Proof for Residential address- Electoral Identity Card / Driving Licence /   Passport .
3). Admission is restricted for children above 14 years of age on production of the Electoral Identity card of their parents.

(c) What is the Renewal Procedure for borrowed books ?    

Borrowed books can be renewed once over telephone, thro’ post or in person, unless there is no reservation for the book requested. Subsequent renewal can be done only on production of the borrowed book.

(d) What should be done if the borrowed Book/Journal is lost?

The lose  may be reported to the librarian in writing . The  member  may  either replace the same copy of the book or remit the cost as decided by the state librarian from time to time along with the overdue charges if any . Regarding journals the lost item should be replaced either by submitting it’s current issue along with overdue charges if any or by remitting the cost as decided by State Librarian.

Any amount due to this library from members on account of loss or damage to books or any other library materials and any other dues declared by the convener shall be recovered as per the Revenue Recovery Act if such dues are not cleared otherwise.