A Reading Renaissance From Kochi's Quiet Corner

It is a quiet truth that where readers abound, books grow. First, in stacks. Then, shelves. Soon, a room full of shelves. Until one day, there's enough to fill a library. That's precisely how the EMS Library came to be.

- Ronnie Kuriakose

It began in 1999 as a small initiative by the staff of the Ernakulam District Cooperative Bank (now Kerala Bank). "The idea was simple. To make books and reading accessible to all. To build a library. It was the first such endeavor of its kind by a cooperative bank in the state," says Rajesh K D, who's been the librarian since its formation.

A special space was made on the top floor of the bank's branch in Mavelipuram, a serene residential neighborhood in Kakkanad. That first year, the library had about 100 members and 5,000 books. "The idea caught on quickly enough," Rajesh adds.

Indeed, it did. Shoba Philip, a long-time member, remembers her visits as nothing short of magical. "We lived about a kilometer away. Every Friday, we'd walk to the library to pick up a new set of books. Over time, it became a tradition," she says.

Back then, Kakkanad, on the fringes of Kochi, lacked the amenities it has today. Reaching the city, where most cultural institutions were located, wasn't always easy. "So, having a library in our 'backyard', where people could congregate to discuss books and more, in those days of no internet or social media, was a lifeline," says Ebrahim R, another member.