Delhi Public Library

The Delhi Public Library (DPL) is one of India’s largest and most comprehensive public library systems, serving as a major centre for information, education, and culture in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Established in 1951, it has developed into a vast network of libraries, mobile units, and reading rooms catering to millions of readers every year. Its mission is to promote literacy, lifelong learning, and community development by ensuring free and equitable access to books, information, and knowledge resources.

Historical Background

The Delhi Public Library was established as a joint venture between the Government of India and UNESCO under the Colombo Plan, which aimed to promote educational and cultural cooperation in post-independence Asia. The library was inaugurated on 27 October 1951 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
The UNESCO initiative provided technical guidance and expertise for setting up the library’s infrastructure and training staff in modern library science. Over time, the DPL became a model for public library systems across India, introducing systematic cataloguing, decentralised service delivery, and community outreach.
Originally located in the historic Old Delhi area near Delhi Gate, the library soon expanded to multiple branches to meet the growing demand for public reading facilities.

Objectives and Mission

The primary objective of the Delhi Public Library is to make books and information freely accessible to the citizens of Delhi, irrespective of age, gender, social class, or educational background. Its mission can be summarised as:

• Promoting literacy and reading habits among the public.
• Supporting formal and informal education through reading materials and reference services.
• Providing cultural and recreational resources for all age groups.
• Preserving and disseminating India’s literary and intellectual heritage.
• Bridging the digital divide by offering access to electronic resources and digital learning platforms.

Organisational Structure and Network

The DPL functions as an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and is governed by a Board of Management. Its administrative headquarters is located at S.P. Mukherjee Marg, Delhi.
The library operates through an extensive network consisting of:

• Zonal Libraries: Large regional libraries that act as nodal centres.
• Branch Libraries: Located across residential and institutional areas of Delhi.
• Sub-branch and Community Libraries: Smaller units serving neighbourhood communities.
• Mobile Library Services: A fleet of specially designed vehicles equipped with books, providing reading materials to areas without permanent libraries.
• Children’s Libraries and Reading Rooms: Spaces dedicated to promoting reading among young learners.

This decentralised model ensures accessibility and inclusivity, reaching even the underprivileged and marginalised sections of society.

Collections and Resources

The Delhi Public Library system houses a rich and diverse collection exceeding 1.8 million volumes in multiple languages, including Hindi, English, Urdu, Punjabi, Sanskrit, and regional Indian languages. The collection encompasses:

• Books and Periodicals: Covering subjects such as literature, history, science, social studies, philosophy, and technology.
• Reference Materials: Encyclopaedias, dictionaries, atlases, directories, and government publications.
• Children’s Literature: Picture books, storybooks, educational materials, and juvenile fiction.
• Braille and Talking Books: For visually impaired readers, available at the Braille Library unit.
• Audio-Visual and Digital Media: CDs, DVDs, and digital archives to support multimedia learning.
• Newspapers and Magazines: A wide selection of daily newspapers and periodicals in multiple languages.

The DPL also holds a valuable rare books and archival collection, which includes old manuscripts, colonial publications, and government reports from the British period.

Services and Facilities

The Delhi Public Library provides a wide range of services tailored to meet the needs of its diverse readership:

• Free Lending and Reference Services: Books can be borrowed and returned across different branches.
• Online Catalogue and e-Resources: Digital access to bibliographic records and selected e-books.
• Community Outreach Programmes: Literacy drives, reading competitions, storytelling sessions, and cultural activities.
• Bookmobile (Mobile Library) Services: Serving remote and low-income areas of Delhi through mobile vans equipped with thousands of books.
• Special Services for the Visually Impaired: The Braille Wing produces Braille books and provides audio materials through the Talking Book Service.
• Study and Reading Rooms: Quiet spaces for students and researchers, including special study facilities during examination seasons.
• Internet and ICT Access: Public computers and Wi-Fi for online study and research.

Children’s and Youth Services

Recognising the importance of nurturing reading habits from an early age, the DPL maintains several Children’s Libraries with age-appropriate materials and interactive learning programmes. Activities include:

• Storytelling and reading circles.
• Educational film screenings.
• Art and craft workshops.
• Career guidance sessions for students.

These initiatives promote not only reading skills but also creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning attitudes among young users.

Digitisation and Modernisation Initiatives

The Delhi Public Library has embraced technological modernisation to enhance accessibility and operational efficiency. Key initiatives include:

• Computerisation of Catalogues: An Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) allows users to search for books and materials across all branches.
• Digital Library Development: Gradual digitisation of rare documents, periodicals, and local archives.
• Integration with the National Digital Library of India (NDLI): Expanding user access to digital academic resources and open-access materials.
• Automated Circulation Systems: For faster and more efficient book lending and return services.

Community and Cultural Role

The DPL plays a major role in community development and cultural enrichment. It regularly organises:

• Literary Seminars and Author Meets to engage writers, poets, and readers.
• Book Exhibitions and Reading Festivals to celebrate regional and national literature.
• Awareness Campaigns on social issues such as environmental protection, women’s empowerment, and digital literacy.

The library also collaborates with schools, NGOs, and educational institutions to expand its outreach and strengthen reading culture in the capital.

Administration and Funding

The Delhi Public Library is financed by the Government of India through the Ministry of Culture, supplemented by grants and donations. It maintains professional staffing that includes qualified librarians, archivists, and IT specialists.
Regular training programmes are organised for staff members through national library associations to keep pace with global standards of library management and technology integration.

Challenges and Prospects

Despite its extensive reach, the DPL faces certain challenges:

• Overcrowding and Space Constraints: Particularly in central branches.
• Aging Infrastructure: Some library buildings require renovation and modern facilities.
• Digital Divide: Limited access to e-resources for users unfamiliar with technology.
• Funding Limitations: Affecting expansion and digitisation projects.