How British Council library has evolved into a cultural centre

Today, the place has transformed into a cultural epicenter that offers everything that Chennai’s youth needs. The institution has also inspired many artists, scientists, sportspersons, and teachers and has been at the centre of opportunities for India’s youth.

Spokesperson of British Council, Antonius Raghubansie, talks about how the British Council has transformed into a cultural hub. “Hundreds of people in the city leverage the British Council library resources every day for their intellectual and personality growth and look to us for adding value. 

Today, the mode of learning has evolved, and many more avenues and professions have opened-up for young people. The multitude of workshops, activities and talks involving UK and Indian artists, authors, academics and trainers at our libraries are designed to help people develop those areas they need to help them succeed,” he tells us.

The library also doubles up as a platform for live art events, where friends come to have a good time and hang out even as they access the best learning resources. “Recently, we have redesigned and revamped our space to feel more like a cultural hub. Since then we have opened our door to new programming and partners to bring in new audiences into our space, to build new connections with what is happening in the city,” adds Antonius.

Talking about the digital library and its impact on Chennaiites, he says, “We have a wide variety of physical and online books. Young readers are very comfortable with digital resources and so they take to the resources almost instantly browsing digital magazines, graphic novels, watching films and drama and listening to music.”

When asked about how digital platform is going to help youngsters, Antonius, says, “The digital offering is preferred by people who love to read/view content on-the-go and at their free time. 

I believe that the digital library will help in increasing the reading habit. The digital concept has enabled easy access to books on various devices that the younger generation is interested in.  It has also made easy the process of buying physical books — one can buy them just through a few clicks.”