The American Center Chennai (ACC) is moving away from physical book lending and transitioning toward a more modern digital library model.
The Centre has informed members that borrowed books should be returned by September 30, 2026, as physical lending services are being discontinued. The library will continue to keep books available for in-house reference, while digital resources will remain accessible through the eLibraryUSA portal.
The American Center currently has a collection of more than 19,000 titles. Its computers will continue to provide access to digital resources, including electronic books, journals and other materials.
A U.S. Embassy spokesperson said the American Centers in India remain open and that the facilities are being modernised to reflect changing ways of accessing information. Enhanced spaces with expanded digital tools and new AI capabilities are expected later this year.
The shift comes after the British Council Library in Chennai also moved toward a digital-focused model. The development reflects a broader change in how people, particularly younger readers, access books and information.
News as Reported.
