The Anna Centenary Library
The Anna Centenary Library
The Anna Centenary Library
4.5
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Adding another feather to its intellectual cap, Chennai is now home to South Asia’s largest library. So if you are a book lover and need a break from the city’s commotion, this is the place for you. The Anna Centenary Library is an eight-story structure that has recently added to the city’s growing modern landscape in the Kotturpuram area. A Braille section, children’s corner, replica of the "Tree of Knowledge," an auditorium and an amphitheater make quite an impression on visitors.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
247 reviews
Excellent
152
Very good
73
Average
16
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Qamardeen
India72 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
It is the biggest library in Asia and a proud for Chennaites and Indians.
A collection huge and rare piece of books and materials available.
A must place to visit for book lovers and one and all
A collection huge and rare piece of books and materials available.
A must place to visit for book lovers and one and all
Written May 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sharmavarun88
Chennai (Madras), India11 contributions
Mar 2015 • Business
OMG I was awestruck after reaching this library. Its a massive structure in Chennai and it boasts of being one of the largest libraries in India!! You can find books of literally ALL subjects you can think of!
Written March 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandilyan
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India4 contributions
Jun 2012 • Family
A must watch place in Chennai fully air-conditioned and equipped with a large no. of books on various topics. The facilities provided for the readers are truly world class. Each floor of the library is split into two halves (A and B wing) which are dedicated to particular Subjects and Languages. My favourite is the 'Kids Section'. Also Its the tidiest library you could ever see in INDIA except the restrooms. It deserves to be named the second largest library in Asia.
Written June 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
venkie
CHENNAI8 contributions
Jun 2013 • Business
The LIBRARY was constructed by the D.M.K. GOVERNMENT headed by DR.M.KARUNANIDHI, who had also laid the foundation stone for the LIBRARY as well as INAUGURATED THE LIBRARY. It boasts of a collection of nearly 10,00,000 books and magazines covering versatile topics. The most remarkable feature is the fact that DR.M.KARUNANIDHIO had donated 3 lakhs books of great literary value to the LIBRARY from out of his vast personal collection. The LIBRARY charges a very nominal FEES. One must surely visit atleast once to get a feel of this GREAT PRIDE OF A LIBRARY
Written September 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jibin mathews
Bavaria, Germany1,057 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
One of the biggest libraries in Asia with a lot of sections and titles.
You would love to sit in the air conditioned library , switch on a table lamp in a quiet corner and dig deep into the books even without any membership. If bored leave the section or even leave the floor go to a corner in another floor and explore.Each floor is vast .
The crowd was very less when i visited and i stayed from the morning till the watchman came twice and said they are closing and i had to leave..uh i never got to finish that book about a martial arts master :) i wonder how they find people in such vast a library ! It has a huge potential if used properly.
It also has learning rooms for exam preparations too.
The only bad thing is it closes early and there are no good food counters(it is supposed to be a library).For such a library , only a small teashop - like establishment is there inside.
You would love to sit in the air conditioned library , switch on a table lamp in a quiet corner and dig deep into the books even without any membership. If bored leave the section or even leave the floor go to a corner in another floor and explore.Each floor is vast .
The crowd was very less when i visited and i stayed from the morning till the watchman came twice and said they are closing and i had to leave..uh i never got to finish that book about a martial arts master :) i wonder how they find people in such vast a library ! It has a huge potential if used properly.
It also has learning rooms for exam preparations too.
The only bad thing is it closes early and there are no good food counters(it is supposed to be a library).For such a library , only a small teashop - like establishment is there inside.
Written February 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Qroam
Coimbatore, India70 contributions
Nov 2012 • Friends
As we are in the digital era, i was a bit bored by reading in mobiles and PCs. Recently i had a casual visit and found a peaceful and harmonic time. Found a lot of rare books and the experience is empowering. Though the collection of new books are less, its a wonder for Tamilnadu. Must visit.
Written February 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ease T
New Delhi, India12 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
It was one sunday, I went with my son to this Library. Very spacious, perfect silence and a little bit of latest technologies and many people to assist you are its attraction to go and study there. But books are limited only. The toilets are not properly maintained and thus they are stinking. Needs a little more attention to keep this property clean and tidy
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xe10
United Kingdom380 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
Cannot believe the state govt can run such a efficient and wonderful library.
Feel sad that it is so under-utilised.
What more can one ask for! Free entry/parking/security/cloak room.a food court which serves decent meal and is very cheap.
Clean well maintained.
Greatly indebted to those who fought for this place ,to overcome the political drama, and keep the reading culture alive.
Feel sad that it is so under-utilised.
What more can one ask for! Free entry/parking/security/cloak room.a food court which serves decent meal and is very cheap.
Clean well maintained.
Greatly indebted to those who fought for this place ,to overcome the political drama, and keep the reading culture alive.
Written February 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sai Sharadha K
Chennai (Madras), India7 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
When I first visited this Library, I was thrilled.
I have been to many Libraries abroad...this was even better than the ones I had visited.
Huge library with an excellent collection, ambiance and a proper study environment.
There are separate sections for each field including modern Languages, Braille, Art and Architecture, Science, Medicine etc.,and a separate floor for Children's books .
There is also a cafeteria inside the building which is good.Plenty of space to park vehicles also.
Currently there is no membership facility available, so you cannot take books out of the library.
I have been to many Libraries abroad...this was even better than the ones I had visited.
Huge library with an excellent collection, ambiance and a proper study environment.
There are separate sections for each field including modern Languages, Braille, Art and Architecture, Science, Medicine etc.,and a separate floor for Children's books .
There is also a cafeteria inside the building which is good.Plenty of space to park vehicles also.
Currently there is no membership facility available, so you cannot take books out of the library.
Written February 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
P Shah
Chennai (Madras), India27 contributions
Mar 2014 • Family
a very good initiative by the government. it has books relating to any topic under the sun. you name it and they have it here. books, newspapers, magazines, journals everything, in almost all the indian languages. they have a huge study room as well where many students pour in everyday for a quite atmosphere for them to read.
Written February 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sir
Is it possible to do Socially Useful Productive Work in Anna Centenary Library?
Written May 22, 2023
Are students required to carry their IF cards to visit Anna library
Written May 16, 2023
Does the library have manga or light novels
Written December 15, 2021
Sunshine13368444560
Chennai District, India
Can we request to purchase certain books ?
Written December 15, 2021
Yes, there is. You have to leave your bags here, before going in. Its on the right side, as you enter the main gate from the road
Written December 28, 2019
No. Any decent dressing will do.
Written July 28, 2019
chvikranth85
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Do they have archives of old newspapers.
Can we take a photo copy of them?
Written February 25, 2019
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