Library Hunt in Fort Kochi: Discover the Best Reading Hotspots and Book Havens

Meow again, my dear readers of Cats of Kochi, it’s been a while since I have enlightened you with my historical expertise and thrilling narratives. And while contemplating the historical blunders of humans, as I, Ginger, the historical correspondent at Cats of Kochi, often do, I was struck by the insight that perhaps I desperately need to mirror the human activity of reading. All so that I could reach an even greater position of knowledge than them. As a cat, I am already superior, but one must not lower their guard and should keep learning to catch the early fish! 

Therefore, broaden my understanding of Fort Kochi and also get some travelling done. I decided that the best way to do so, rather than doom scroll my way through the Cat-ernet, was to step out of the house and look out for places where humans go to read.

Reading in and about Fort Kochi

You guessed it, my agenda for the day was to visit all the libraries in Fort Kochi! What can be a better arena to learn about the place and its people if not through a setting which is filled to the brim with words, memories, and experiences? A plethora of endless pawsibilities. As a historian, I believe that a lot of what humans call ‘history’ is echoes of what once was. And libraries have continued to exist as collections of books, newspapers, or magazines in all corners of the world. Some have been burned down, some are empty, some are inaccessible, but humans who read have found great comfort in the concept of libraries that my feline self is itching to check out and see for myself. So let’s go and get my paws on some books! 

The first instance that led to my curiosity is from my human’s own library, albeit small, but with an interesting collection. I chanced upon a small entry about libraries in The History of Fort Cochin by K L Bernard which talked about the Cochin Library. It was said to be where the AspinWall building currently lies, the spot for the famous Kochi Muziris Biennale that happens every year. According to Bernard, the library had handwritten copies of books in Chinese, Persian, Arabic and Hebrew! So cool, I wonder if they have paw-printed books. Before going on my journey to discover the libraries, I spared a moment to look at the Aspin Wall building and started the walk from there.

K. J Herschel Memorial Library 

The building with history but no electricity 

Humans make a lot of mistakes; every single creature on this planet is aware of that fact. Walking into the K J Herschel Memorial library, named after the former Chairman of the Fort Kochi Municipality, I can pawsitively say that Herschel would not be satisfied with the state of it! Why would he, when his namesake library does not have an electricity connection!? The kind librarian gave me some pets and told me that the library was an old British building. The library also goes by the names of Jubilee Memorial Library and Corporation Library. As of 2025, the corporation that runs the library has not provided the funding to buy new books, fix the shelves, or even put up a board for the library. Therefore, my dear readers, watch out for a small gate next to the garbage dump area without any board if you want to reach the library! 

For hoomans who have their books, the library has a breezy reading room with a variety of magazines and newspapers that they can read at their own leisure. It is open on all days except Sundays and public holidays. To borrow the collection, however, you will have to get a membership with 320INR as a fee! The reading room is open from 7 AM to 6 PM. The library is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. Although, fair warning, the books and shelves are not in their most pristine condition!

For Quiet Reading Spots - Iqbal and L.G. Pai

After waving goodbye to the librarian and giving him my suggestions to improve the library (a feline librarian is the topmost priority, a cat cushion and a treats bowl follow). I took a walk down Bazaar Road and went to the Iqbal Memorial Library and Reading Room. 

To envision my library walk in Fort Kochi, I have asked my friend Bandit to make you a map! 

The Iqbal Memorial Library at Mattancherry threatened me with a good time - a peaceful nap with dim lighting and cool flooring. When I visited the place, there was no one except an old hooman reading one of the many newspapers lying around on the tables. The library opens only from 4 PM to 7 PM, but the Reading Room is open from 6 AM to 6 PM. There is a good number of Urdu collections and the library is said to be supported by the Kutchi Memons, one of the many communities that make their home in Fort Kochi! 

After hiding inside a bag and hitchhiking on top of an auto, I reached the Kokkers Theater – one of the oldest theaters in Kochi, which unfortunately has been shut down. I jumped out. When humans said ‘the cat is out of the bag,’ they were really going for something. I’ve got to give them that. Unlike ‘cat got your tongue’ – I will never go near that slimy organ of theirs! 

Taking a small road down the street, I enter the L.G Pai Memorial Library. Similar to Iqbal, they also seem to have an array of newspapers and magazines around. However, there are no books for hoomans to borrow. There is no fee to enter. It makes a quiet and cozy spot for readers and students to sit and work. The working hours are from 9 AM to 7PM. For my fellow cats, I recommend you go to this one because they have a very satisfying scratch mat for our use! For free! 

Community-run Libraries 

Just like Iqbal Library with the Kutchi Memons, I found another library run by a community of hoomans! The Konkani-speaking community of Fort Kochi has its library as part of the Saraswath Association, which also has plenty of other initiatives run along with the library. This is something I can appawrciate as a cat because I’d be bored with just reading and reading all day long! They even conduct competitions for little hooman children and events where the humans who write these books come and talk! I had to enquire if the librarian would host me someday. I meowed him my best work. Watch out for this space if you would like to attend a Ginger led book session, dear readers! You can borrow books from this library with a membership fee of 100INR and a monthly 30INR. 

Last but not Least 

I think I have been spending too much time around humans. Why am I saving the best for the last? I should’ve devoured the best one right at the start! But alas, the chin scratches do rub off you. Therefore, for some reason, the last library I visited was the one that had the most books! Very close to the Saraswath Association is the Govinda Pai Memorial Library. 

To be very honest, I had a hard time getting inside the library because every other minute between the gate and the library– I was getting picked up by little hoomans and coddled all over! Because my dear readers, this library is nested inside a school compound. 

After licking myself clean of all the dirty little fingers that touched me, I stepped inside the library and was satisfied to see that all my efforts and torture were worth it after all. Rows and rows of shelves! From Harry Pawter to Purrcy Jackson, books that hoomans use to write something called exams(?) and rare books about Kochi! I immediately put my paws down on one of the tables and started reading. 

As a feline who has mastered the art of navigation, I don't quite care for guiding maps, but for you hoomans, I'll provide Google Maps links to these libraries below. Just click on these yellow buttons with your paws!

Links to the library locations

Sorry readers, I'll be getting busy now. See you for the next adventure! In the meantime, do check out the other cool things about Fort Kochi!