>KylieTastic at 16:39, 8 September 2021

2021-09-08T16:39:04Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox library
| library_name = Allahabad Public Library
| library_logo = Thornhill Mayne Memorial, Alfred Park, Allahabad.jpg
| country = [[India]]
| type = [[Public library]]
| ref_legal_mandate =
| location = [[Prayagraj]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| coordinates = {{coord|25.4557596855282|81.84941995931914}}
| established = 1864<ref name="PublicTOI"/>
| num_branches =
| collection_size = approx. 125,000 books, 40 magazines and 28 newspapers<ref name="PublicTOI"/>
| annual_circulation =
| pop_served = 55,100 reader inclusive of 1,271 membership (2013-14)<ref name="PublicTOI"/>
| budget =
| director =
| num_employees =
| website = {{URL|http://agplib.org/}}
}}
'''Allahabad Public Library''' also known as '''Thornhill Mayne Memorial''' is a public library situated at [[Chandrashekhar Azad Park]] in [[Allahabad|Prayagraj]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Handbook of the Bengal Presidency: With an Account of Calcutta City |url=https://archive.org/details/handbookbengalp00eastgoog |quote=Thornhill Mayne Memorial.|year=1882 |publisher=John Murray |page=[https://archive.org/details/handbookbengalp00eastgoog/page/n381 366]}}</ref> Established in 1864, it is the biggest library in the state of [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name="PublicTOI"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://mediaindia.eu/freestyle/a-bibliophiles-travel-itinerary-2/ | title=A bibliophile’s travel itinerary | date=11 April 2017 | first=Surbhi | last=Kapila | publisher=Media India Group | access-date=13 July 2018 }}</ref> The building was designed by Richard Roskell Bayne and is considered a remarkable example of [[Scottish Baronial architecture|Scottish Baronial Revival architecture]].<ref name=TGEIAAp57>{{cite book |title=The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture, Volume 3|author=Jonathan M. Bloom, Sheila Blai|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year= 2009|isbn=8125013830 |page=57 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=un4WcfEASZwC&pg=PA57&dq=holy+trinity+church+allahabad&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JQErUsruLIfZrQfNyYGoDw&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=holy%20trinity%20church%20allahabad&f=false }}</ref> The monument has served as the house of legislative assembly in British era when Allahabad was the capital of [[United Provinces of British India|United Provinces]]. In 1879, the Public library was shifted to the present premises at Chandrashekhar Azad Park.

==Holdings==
The library has an approximate collection of 125,000 books, 40 types of magazines and 28 different newspapers in [[Hindi]], [[English language|English]], [[Urdu]] and [[Bengali language|Bangla]] and contains 21 [[Arabic]] manuscripts.<ref name="PublicTOI">{{cite news |author= |title=Public library witnesses 37% increase in readers |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Public-library-witnesses-37-increase-in-readers/articleshow/43224473.cms |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |location=Allahabad |date=23 September 2014 |access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> It also has a collection of old government publications, parliamentary papers, and blue books of the 19th century, old manuscripts and journals.<ref name="GovtTOI">{{cite news |last=Dixit |first=Kapil |date=12 June 2013 |title=Govt public library gets international recognition |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Govt-public-library-gets-international-recognition/articleshow/20547384.cms |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |location=Allahabad |access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>

==Building==
The building known as '''Thornhill Mayne Memorial''' is situated at [[Alfred Park]]<ref name="GovtTOI"/> and was designed by Richard Roskell Bayne in [[Scottish Baronial architecture]] with sharp pillars and [[turrets]] of granite and sandstone. It represents [[Polychrome|structural polychromy]] with lofty towers and arcaded [[cloisters]].<ref name=TGEIAAp57/><ref>{{cite book |last=Chandra |first=Ramesh |title=Cities and towns of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?ei=4lgzUtHrOYaYrAfthYDIAw&id=8-ZOAAAAMAAJ&dq=Thornhill+Mayne+Memorial&q=queen+victoria#search_anchor |year=2004 |publisher=Commonwealth Publishers |page=393}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Michell |first=George |title=The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India: Islamic, Rajput, European |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fa5NAAAAYAAJ&q=Thornhill+Mayne+Memorial&dq=Thornhill+Mayne+Memorial&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4lgzUtHrOYaYrAfthYDIAw&redir_esc=y |year=1989 |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |page=202}}</ref> When completed in 1870, the building cost approx. [[Indian rupee|INR]] 94,222.<ref>{{cite book |title=Various Census of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9KgIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA117&dq=Thornhill+Mayne+Memorial&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4lgzUtHrOYaYrAfthYDIAw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Thornhill%20Mayne%20Memorial&f=false |year=1877 |publisher=Oxford University |page=117}}</ref> It was funded by Commissioner of Allahabad, Mr. Mayne and was opened as a memorial to Cuthbert Bensley Thornhill.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=Om Prakash |author-link=Om Prakash Sharma (librarian) |title=Forces Behind the Indian Public Library Movement, 1858-1892 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x2noAAAAMAAJ&q=Thornhill+Mayne+Memorial&dq=Thornhill+Mayne+Memorial&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4lgzUtHrOYaYrAfthYDIAw&redir_esc=y |year=1970 |publisher=[[University of Chicago Graduate Library School]] |page=243}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of tourist attractions in Allahabad]]
* [[List of libraries in India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Allahabad landmarks}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Public libraries in India]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Allahabad]]
[[Category:Libraries in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Allahabad]]
[[Category:Library buildings completed in 1870]]
[[Category:1870 establishments in India]]

Allahabad Public Library - Revision history

>KylieTastic at 16:39, 8 September 2021