KOCHI: The Iqbal Library and Reading Room, one of the oldest in the city, is all set to celebrate the valedictory of its platinum jubilee celebrations on October 26 at Nehru Memorial Town Hall in Mattanchery at 4 pm. The jubilee celebrations of the library founded in 1936 commenced six months ago. Earlier basic lessons in Urdu and Gujarati were also imparted. The place is a paradise for book lovers. Now, it is full-fledged with about 15,000 books in seven different languages and 130 publications in four languages are being subscribed. There are about 2,000 Urdu books. The unique collection of rare reference works here is an attraction. There are many books in Tamil and Arabic too. Malayalam books top the list with about 8,000 in number in different genres followed by English, about 4000 of them. The students’ corner in the library with internet facility, reference books and guides is a much-sought after one.“There are about 550 student members in the library. A wide range of reference books on different subjects is available here for the students. For the student membership, a reference letter from their respective school is required. Only a monthly subscription fee of `10 is collected from them apart from the membership fee of `100,” said vice-president of the library Abdul Azeez Essa Sait. Around 1,300 members frequent it. “The two woman librarians actively participate in home delivery of books for women initiated by the library. Two books are delivered to 140 houses in the city every week.” he said. The reading room functions from 6 am to 8 pm every day. Even though the reading room is dominated by men, there is special reading corner for women. The life-term membership fee is `5,000, annual membership fee is `300 and the monthly subscription fee is `30. Contests in story writing, poetry writing, essay and light music were conducted as part of the on-going celebrations. The valedictory function of the platinum jubilee celebration is scheduled to be inaugurated by Minister for Education P K Abdu Rabb. Public works Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju will release the platinum jubilee souvenir by handing over a copy to Dominic Presentation MLA. Journalist K M Roy will deliver the keynote address. Chairman, Health Standing Committee, Kochi Corporation, T K Ashraf, will distribute the prizes. Mementos in recognition of the services of former office-bearers and awards for students with high academic records will also be distributed at the function. The function will conclude with cultural programmes.
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