About Anna Centenary Library
Anna Centenary Library is a large public library located in Kotturpuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Inaugurated in 2010 and named to commemorate former Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai, it is among the largest libraries in Asia. Spread over eight floors in a modern building, it houses over 1.2 million books including extensive Tamil and English collections, children's section, Braille section, manuscripts and digital resources, serving as a major knowledge and research centre for Chennai.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a modern eight-storey library building with spacious reading halls, extensive book stacks, and dedicated sections for children, periodicals, Tamil books, English books, and Braille. The premises include an auditorium, conference halls, exhibition areas, and a cafeteria. The environment is quiet and study-oriented with air-conditioned halls, elevators, and seating for reading and research. Visitors can browse collections, use reading rooms, and explore children's activity areas.
Key highlights
- 01
One of the largest libraries in Asia with over 1.2 million books
- 02
Eight-floor modern building with dedicated floors for different collections
- 03
Extensive Tamil literature and rare books collection
- 04
Dedicated children's library with over 50,000 books and activity area
- 05
Braille section and accessible resources for visually impaired visitors
- 06
Auditorium and conference halls for cultural and literary events
- 07
Digital library and e-resources section
History of Anna Centenary Library
Established by the Government of Tamil Nadu and inaugurated on 15 September 2010 by then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to commemorate the birth centenary of former Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai. Built at a cost of about Rs. 172 crores, it was conceived as a state-of-the-art knowledge centre and is recognized as one of the largest libraries in Asia.
Culture & Context
Serves as a major cultural and educational hub for Chennai, promoting Tamil language and literature alongside English and other collections. Hosts literary events, exhibitions, and educational programs and functions as an important public resource for students, researchers and general readers.