Stay and we'll fund, Kerala govt tells British Library

Economy Bureau
Posted: Wednesday, Dec 19, 2007 at 0000 hrs IST
Updated: Wednesday, Dec 19, 2007 at 0059 hrs IST

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Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 18 : The Kerala government was game to take up the running of British Council library in Thiruvananthapuram, if the top management of the latter was firm about winding it up. Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan has conveyed this offer to the senior official of British Council, who called on him this week.

"If new land and buildings are necessary to keep it going, the State government will be pro-active to explore that option too," chuthanandan told reporters here. The Council officials have noted the offers of management and monetary support, promising to get back with a reply.

Rod Pryde, director for India and Sri Lanka of the British Council, has announced the closure of the library from Feb 28, 2008. Chris Gibson, South India head of the council, also attended the meeting.

In a press release, the Council had informed that it was changing the nature of its work in Thiruvananthapuram. The Council said that it was closing down the British Library, which it runs in partnership with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, because a significant investment on the premises or probably a move to new premises would be required.

The State government has offered to fill in, as required, in either of the situations. Besides the Chief Minister's intervention, members had swung o nan emotional campaign mode, setting in motion aspate of online discussion for a like www.saveourbritishlibrary.com and saveourlibrary.blogspot. The British Council Library in Kerala Capital was opened in 1964. It has a collection of about 27,000 books. These are likely to be divided among nine other Council branches in India.

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