The Cuddalore District Central Library is receiving several titles year after year, and thus, its total collection has crossed over 1.3 lakh volumes. With the ever increasing turnout of readers, the library is unable to accommodate visitors as well as the books.

Hence, there is a long-felt need for shifting the library to a more spacious venue, according to S. Pachaiyappan, librarian. He told The Hindu that the existing building had been compartmentalised into various sections for children, reference, newspapers/magazines, book distribution and for sorting out new titles.

He said that the children’s section alone had as many as 7,800 titles. The library is getting good patronage and the rush is more during examinations.

The library has a wide range of books to help candidates prepare for competitive examinations. When asked about reading habit among students, Mr. Pachiyappan said it was on the rise as more college and school students were using the library for participating in various competitions.

Literature, fiction and subject-oriented books are much sought after. There are a total number of regular 17,790 members, from all walks of life. Last year, a total of 59,154 readers made use of the reference section and over 36,600 readers borrowed books.

On an average, the library is getting 500 readers every day, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It indicates the vibrant trend of the growing reading habit among people. A photocopier has also been provided to help the readers.

This year, the central library received over 15,000 titles and it is in the process of sorting out and dispatching the books to 132 libraries, including 64 branch libraries, 39 rural libraries and 29 part-time libraries, under its purview.

With a view to familiarising readers with the new titles, book exhibition is being organised during Library Week celebrations. But this year, for want of space, the expo could be held only for a day as most of the space was occupied for sorting out the new titles, Mr. Pachaiyappan said.