Iyyanki Venkata Ramanayya Biography 
Iyyanki Venkata Ramanayya was a social worker, credited to the title of "Architect of Public Library Movement in India". The first Indian to be awarded the Kaula Gold Medal, he was an influential library leader and social worker who donated about 10 acres of land in Ayyanki village for development of various facilities. He was secretary Andhra Pradesh Library Association and organised an All India Library Meeting on 12 November 1912 in Chennai, which resulted in the formation of Indian Library Association. He passed away in 1979.
Iyyanki Venkata Ramanayya was born on 24 July 1890 in Konkuduru, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. His name is also credited as Ayyanki Venkata Ramanaiah. Venkata Ratnam and Mangamamba were his parents. He completed his early education from his native village. He got influenced by the ideas of Bipin Chandra Pal and entered public life in 1907. Most of his efforts were associated with Library movement in India during the British rule. His efforts were not restricted to the various regions of south India, but in Bengal, Punjab and other parts of the country.
He played a very important role in the establishment of First State Library Association in India – Andhra Desa Library Association in 1914. He took efforts for the establishment of Bengal Library Association (1925), Madras Library Association (1928), Punjab Library Association (1929) and the All India Public Library Association (1919). He extensively conducted library tours across coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh which paved way to the establishment of hundreds of libraries, and also many closed ones were reopened too. He also organized training camps to play the role of a librarian.
Published: November 27, 2018
Updated: November 27, 2018
