Connemara Public Library on Pantheon Road, Egmore, opened its doors in 1896, six years after Governor Lord Connemara laid the foundation stone on 22 March 1890. It is one of India’s four national depository libraries, entitled to a copy of every book, newspaper and periodical published in the country, and it holds about 8.5 lakh books, according to its official website. The Directorate of Public Libraries lists it as open from 8 am to 8 pm.
Many Chennai readers know the newer Anna Centenary Library better. This piece is about the older one: how a museum reading room became a national library, who built it, and what is in it.
Three libraries under one roof
In the mid-19th century the Pantheon complex in Egmore, already home to the Government Museum, had three separate collections: the museum’s library, the Fort library and the Madras Literary Society’s books. DT Next notes that by 1861 all three were operating there, but while tens of thousands of people visited the museum and the zoo, few went into the library.
Robert Bourke, Lord Connemara, Governor of Madras, pushed for a proper public library. He laid the foundation stone in 1890 but left office before it was finished, so he never opened the building that carries his name. It opened in 1896; the Ministry of Culture’s National Virtual Library listing gives 5 December 1896 as its establishment date.
Irwin’s reading room
The CMDA’s heritage paper credits the design to Henry Irwin and the construction to Namberumal Chetty, in the Indo-Saracenic style. Irwin also designed the Madras High Court and Egmore station. DT Next adds that Chetty moved bricks from his kilns at Choolaimedu by shallow boats along the Cooum. CMDA describes the building as well maintained and much improved.
Inside the original block, look for the stained glass windows, the carved teak shelving and the high reading hall. A three-storey T-shaped annexe was added in 1973 to hold the growing collection.
How it became a national library
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1890 | Foundation stone laid by Lord Connemara (22 March) |
| 1896 | Library opens to readers |
| 1905 | Madras Literary Society moves its library to Nungambakkam |
| 1928 | University of Madras library, which had used the space, moves to Chepauk |
| 1939 | Library becomes autonomous from the museum |
| April 1950 | Becomes the State Central Library |
| September 1955 | Gains national depository status; UN information centre role begins |
| 1973 | T-shaped annexe added |
| 1992 | Depository for Asian Development Bank publications |
| 5 December 1998 | Centenary stamp issued |
The dates from 1905 onward are from the centenary stamp’s information sheet. Its status as a State Central Library flows from the public libraries law of 1948, under which Tamil Nadu built its library network. Today the Directorate of Public Libraries, formed in 1972, runs 4,661 libraries, with Connemara at the top of the list.
What you will find there
- A national collection. Because publishers must deposit copies, Connemara is often the only Chennai library with an obscure Indian title, an old periodical or a government report.
- Many languages. The official site lists books mainly in English and Tamil, plus Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati and Bengali.
- UN and ADB documents, from its long role as a depository for international organisations.
- Rare and old books, some centuries old, kept in the heritage section.
Planning a visit
The library is inside the Government Museum complex, so you enter from Pantheon Road. The Directorate’s timings page lists Connemara as open from 8 am to 8 pm and closed on Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanthi, Pongal, Tamil New Year, Ayudha Pooja, Saraswathi Pooja, Deepavali and Christmas. Unlike branch libraries, it is not listed as closed on Fridays.
- Bring identification. Reference reading is generally open; borrowing needs membership, and the rules are on the Directorate’s site.
- Rare books may need a request at the desk. Allow time and handle them as staff direct.
- Egmore metro station and Egmore railway station are both within walking distance, so there is no need to drive into the busy Pantheon Road area.
- Students preparing for competitive exams use the reading rooms heavily, so weekday mornings are usually calmer than evenings and weekends.
- Combine the visit with the museum’s galleries next door, but check which galleries are open, as several have been closed for renovation.
Quick answers
When was Connemara Public Library founded?
The foundation stone was laid on 22 March 1890 and the library opened in 1896.
Why is it called a depository library?
It is one of four Indian libraries that receive a copy of every book, newspaper and periodical published in the country.
What are Connemara Library’s timings?
8 am to 8 pm, except on nine listed holidays.
Who designed the building?
Henry Irwin, with Namberumal Chetty as builder.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Connemara Public Library official website
- Library timings (Directorate of Public Libraries, Tamil Nadu)
- About the Directorate (Directorate of Public Libraries, Tamil Nadu)
- History of historical buildings and monuments in and around Chennai (CMDA)
- Connemara Public Library (National Virtual Library of India, Ministry of Culture)
- The phenomenal growth of the Connemara Library (DT Next, April 2023)
- Centenary of Connemara Public Library, Madras: 1998 stamp (Indian Philatelics)
