In 1889, the Maharaja of Travancorevisited the Library and donated Rs. 4000/-to buy books for the Libraray and this enhanced the number of books to 3889. Under the Principalsip of R.S.Lepper, the Catologue method, already employed in the British Museum and the Cambridge University, was introduce in the Pachaiyappa's College Library.
Until 1910, there was a single library for the use of both Pachaiyappa's school and college, but only from 1910, an exclusive Library for Pachaiyappa's college started functioning
During the Principalship of Rao Bahadur K.Chinnathambi Pillai, the Library was promoted well. Library classes were made a part of the Academic Time Table. English Literature and Indian Languages, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam books were kept for Public reference. British Government used to send a copy of Government Printed materials, catalogue, reports and statistics to the Library for public reference, which was considered a big honour those days.
Eminent professors Dr. Mu. Varadarajan and Singaravelu Mudaliyar were among those who made frequent visits to the Library.
This Library has been granite base for the development of many students. Arignar Anna, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, an old student of this college very often appreciated the glory. Former Vice-Chancellors like Avvai Natarajan, Ka. Pa Aravanan made extensive use of this Library.
This Library has been a knowledge centre for L.A.S officers, during their preparatory stages of their civil service examinations and many judges also have referred to the books here.
Shri.T. Avinashilingam Chettiar who studied in this college made use of this college Library with a spirit of patriotism and he was, later, instrumental in passing a Government order to open Libraries in small remote villages of Tamil Nadu.
Research scholars gave very high importance to the resources of the college Library.
The Library paved the way for the emergence of several linguists.
Scheme of Classification
In the 1933, former Librarian of University of Madras Dr.S. Ranganathan introduced a new scheme of classification called the Colon classification, which was subsequently implemented in our Library.
In the year 2014, there was a transition from the practice of Colon classification to Dewey Classification scheme. Presently, we are practicing only DDC scheme in which the class number begins with a base number from the schedule.
Library Management Software
The Library uses the standard edition of the integrated Library management software "Autolib"
Which is used for acquisition, cataloging of books, journals, non-book materials. and digital contents.
OPAC, circulation, serial control, student gate entry register, indexing and the preparation of question banks.
Augmentation of Books
The General library which possessed a collection of 19459 books in the year 1947 increased its tally to 139397 as on date (2018).
Old collections of books
Our college Library has in its possession very rare books. Some of the very old books which were published before 1925 are still available in our General Library.
The List includes the following:
Mid Eightieth century, 1911, William Black & Sons
History of English Prosody from Twentieth century to present day - 1910
The republic of Plato, 1908, Oxford
England in Ireland in the 18th century, 1901
India's first Prime Minister, 1809, Martin, Gavin C
Dooms day and beyond
Manu smriti, the laws of Manu with the Bhasyua of Medhatithi 1921
Nataraja in Art, Thought and Literature, National Museum.
List of Journals
Journal of Modern Science
Pramana Journal of Physics
Economic Journal
Current Science
Indian Jounal of Science and Technology
Journal of Chemical Sciences
Journal of Library and Information Science
Digital Library
Our Library has UGC-INFONET Digital Library consortium N-LIST which provides access to scholarly electronic resources with full text and bibliographical databases.
To meet the demands of the PG students separate PG. Libraries were started in each PG. Department and this enabled the General Library to decentralize its responsibility
Due to the lack space in the General Library the library books been decentralized by attaching in all departments in which a staff is being acted as Library in-charge.
List of Librarians from 1947 to 2017
Thiru. Chengalvaran was the Librarian, for more than 40 years, during his tenure the Alphabetical method of classification scheme has been practiced.
Thiru. P.Perumal, was the Librarian from 1971 to 1993 and during his period the Colon Classification scheme was practiced
Thiru. D.Chinnapalani was the Librarian from 1994 to 2009. He has written a book entitled "Idhazhalar Elanchezhian".
Thirumathi. Meena. S was appointed as a Librarian in the year 2014, and at present, the Dewey Decimal Classification scheme is being practiced in the General Library.
Library Programs
The General Library, with motivation and help from several staff members and leadership from Dr.A.R. Revathy, Assistant professor in philosophy, recently launched the "Library Study Circle" whose main focus will be on organizing a series of lectures for the benefit of students and teachers.
