Do you often use the state-run libraries in Tamil Nadu? Then there’s a bad news for you. From April 2017, all the libraries in Tamil Nadu will only have a ‘minimum’ number of newspapers, periodicals and magazines.

The New Indian Express reports that from April 1, the libraries will only buy one newspaper each in English and Tamil languages. Periodicals have been reduced too, with only two Tamil weeklies and one English weekly, and one English and Tamil monthly each, being available from April.

Earlier, the libraries used to get five newspapers each in English and Tamil, 23 weeklies and five magazines.

The recent circular issued by district library officers stated that the librarians in-charges should only purchase one of the three listed Tamil dailies and one of the two English newspapers. The circular also stated that they can also purchase two Tamil weeklies, one English weekly and one monthly magazine in English and Tamil.

A library staff told TNIE that this decision was taken to reduce the expenditure. The libraries were allowed earlier to purchase locals newspapers, the state had allocated funds for this purpose.

Coimbatore District Library Officer J Karthikeyan told TNIE that this decision was a temporary order for administrative reasons and will be revised. He assured that the number of periodicals will not be reduced.

There are many students mainly from villages and towns in Tamil Nadu who are preparing for competitive examinations and are dependent on the periodicals and newspapers provided in the libraries.