Three book enthusiasts took a decision to open a library and reading room at Mattancherry. Efforts taken by a visionary and advocate Essa Ahmed Sait was timely supported by two associates Abdul Rahman Haji Ibrahim Kasam Sait Cochinwala and Ismail Haji Essa Sait. Essa Ahmed Sait gave Rs 10,001 while Esmail Haji Essa Sait gave Rs 10,000. The library started functioning in private premises and continued there until the eighties. Later it was shifted to a new location at Mattancherry close to its original location.

Iqbal Library and Reading Room was started on 14th June 1936 as independent Muslim Reading Room and re-christened as Iqbal Library and Reading Room on January 11, 1938. The function was presided over by Mahakavi G. Sankarakurup. Abdul Rahman Haji Kassam Sait was the President and Essa Ahmed Sait Secretary of the Library management committee. A Manuscript magazine “Vignanalatha” (Knowlege-plant) published by Ahmed Usman Sait, under the auspices of the Library was highly appreciated by readers.  It is still housed in the Cutchi Memon Association building. In the picture on the right, Khan Sahib Ismail Hajee Essa Sait (second from left), the library’s president, stands with the Diwan of Cochin from 1943-44, Sir George Townsend Boag (centre), who visited the library often.

Despite how widespread such reading rooms are, they are hardly frequented by women. Iqbal Library and Reading Room makes a concerted effort to draw womenfolk in with its exclusive room for women, women librarians and even a system whereby books are delivered to women at their homes every week. "When women are encouraged to read, the entire family grows". Rakeeya, a Class XI student, has been frequenting the haunt from Class VII and says the textbooks and question banks have been especially helpful to her. "Not many of us may come and read here but most of my friends will be reading at least one book from here at home always." Reported the Hindu, ‘Between the Lines’. March 12, 2014.