26 Major Public Libraries of Delhi
C P Vashishth
1. Introduction
Delhi was put on library map in the second half of the 19th century . “In 1865 the Delhi Society for Promotion of Literary and Cultural Activities was organized and this is said to be beginning of library movement in Delhi”.The members (mostly Britishers) of this Society had earlier donated their personal collection of books and named the same as ‘Delhi Institute Library’ around 1862. Thus theyear 1862 could be said to be the beginning of the Library. This collection of books was initially placed in one of the rooms of Lawrence Institute ( now known as Town Hall, Chandni Chowk). This Delhi Institute Library has had different names during different periods of time.
From the above illustration we discover that after about 40 years of its existence in 1902 this Delhi Institute Library was formally inaugurated by the name ‘Delhi Public Library’ and shifted from Lawrence Institute to Kaccha Bagh in a small room with three members of library staff ( 1 Librarian + 1 Clerk and 1 Peon) to manage. Gradually the flow of visitors stared increasing, so the library started experiencing shortage of space as well as staff to manage the collection and its services. Regular flow of funds to meet the running expenses of Library was the other problem.
An incident of 23 December 1912 changed the entire course of history of the Delhi Public Library for the good. On this day a bomb was hurled on the procession of Lord Hardinge by a mob of freedom fighters led by Lala Hardayal in the Company Bagh area of Chandni Chowk. Lord Hardinge, however, escaped unhurt. To mark the event, a Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Rai Bahadur Shiv Prasad for the construction of a building to house the Delhi Public Library. In a very short time a sum of Rs.70,000 was collected. Eminent people of the time contributed liberally. Khan Ali Hazi Baksh Ilahi contributed a sum of Rs 14,000 while the Maharaja of Kashmir contributed Rs.10,000. A magnificent building came up within a four years record time and was named as ‘ Hardinge Library` (Vardhman Mahaveer Open University, Kota: M Phil Course Material MPLS-02 Library Systems. 2009 p74-75).
After 1951 many public library-cum-reading rooms have come up in the city of Delhi. Total number of such Library-cum-Reading rooms is over 250. Their collection ranges from 1,000 to 13,00,000 volumes. It Is noteworthy that some of these libraries are exclusively for children.
1. National Bal Bhawan Library
National Bal Bhawan Library at Kotla Road, New Delhi was established in 1956 at the initiative of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India with the aim of educating children between the age group of 5 to 16 and fostering in them the habit of lifelong reading. It is open from 9am to 5.30pm. It follows open access and can seat 60 children at a time. It has children specific collection of 35,000 volumes. Though the Library does not use any Library Management Software, it does have a computer with Internet facility. Data conversion and Barcoding of collection is under way. DDC scheme of classification is being used to classify and organize the collection.
In 1992 the Library got a new home which is very spacious and enough room for organizing various activities. The Library is fully funded by the Government and is supervised by a technically qualified lady librarian. There is separate room for the kids between the age group of 5-9. it is very well organized, quite attractive and fully decorated.
There are two sections in the library – the Children’s section and the Reference section. Children have easy access to the books in the library as they are kept in open shelves. The Reference section has a good collection of reference books related to arts, science, culture and literature. New books are regularly added so that children can keep themselves abreast with the latest developments in these areas.
National Bal Bhawan’s Library is not confined to print collection alone. Literary activities are also clubbed with the library activities. This is done by organizing various innovative and lively programmes such
- Creative writing
- Story Telling sessions
- Poem Recitation and Kavi Goshthi (Poets’ Meet)
- Interaction with writers
- Theme based discussions
- Quiz programmes
- Book reviews
- Debates
(http://www.nationalbalbhavan.nic.in/index2.asp?slid=1093&sublinkid=79&langid=1 accessed on 3rd March 2013)
2. Dr B.C Roy Children`s Reading Room and Library
Housed in Nehru House, # 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi Dr B.C Roy Children`S Reading Room and Library is yet another children specific library in the city. It was established in 1964 on the initiative of famous cartoonist Shankar Pillai. It is funded and managed by Childrens Book Trust. Library Membership is open to any child between the age of 5 and 18 years. Two types of memberships are available. Children residing at a distance of more than 20 kilometers from the Library can avail of the special membership by paying Rs. 1250 of which Rs. 1000 is refundable security deposit. The ordinary membership charge is Rs. 650 of which Rs. 500 is refundable security deposit. The security deposit is refundable at the time of withdrawing of membership. Every member is issued Photo Identity Card. Parents/guardians can accompany the child member and guide him/her in selecting the books of interest. However, parents/guardians are not allowed to borrow books on behalf of the child member in his/her absence.
The books have been arranged under three different group for different age groups. Group A provides books for children in the age group of 5 to 8 years. Group B provides books for children in the age group of 9 to 12 years. Group C caters to children of the age group between 13 to 18. Library follows open access to facilitate free movement and browsing within the library. (http://www.childrensbooktrust.com/lib.htm
accessed on 3rd March 2013)
Besides these two renowned children specific libraries in the city of Delhi, Delhi Public Library too has a very well organized and maintained Children`s Section in Sarojni Nagar zonal library and at Main Library at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg opposite Delhi Railway Station.
3. Panjabi Academy Library
Housed in DDA Community Centre, Sadar Thana Road, Motia Khan, Paharganj, the Panjabi Academy Library was established in 1983. It remains open between 9.30am to 6pm on all working days. It has 44 branches designated as Composite Libraries. It is fully funded by the Government of NCT Delhi. Its book budget is Rs.6 lakhs per Annam.spread in five districts of Delhi (8 Composite libraries in North District; 10 Composite libraries in South District; It has a staff strength of 40 professional librarians, 40 semi professional assistants and 38 other support staff.
The book collection comprising Panjabi language and literature of the main library consists of 22,000 volumes. It subscribes/receives 10 periodicals and 18 newspapers. The collection is organized using DDC 20th edition. Library is not yet automated. Catalogue cards are prepared manually using AACR2. Books are issued to members in a register. There are 2 sets of computer systems in the library with equal number of printers and one scanner.
The Academy helps in opening new libraries by providing free books, periodicals and furniture. It also provides free Punjabi books and periodicals to schools and colleges.
4. NDMC Central Library
Founded in 1984, Central Library of New Delhi Municipal Council is housed in Palika Kendra, NDCC Phase II New Delhi-110001. It remains open from 10.30am to 7pm on all working days of the week. The Book collection consists of 13,000 volumes. It subscribes to 40 periodicals and 18 newspapers. Library is automated and has OPAC and Internet facility. Its reading room can accommodate 45 – 50 readers at a time. Photocopying, consultation, referral and reference services are provided by the library. Library has a budget of Rs. 7,00,000 (Rs. 3,00,000 for books, Rs.2,50,000 for periodicals and Rs.1,50,000 miscellaneous). The staff strength of library system is 13 professionals, 10 semi-professionals and 2 others. Beside Central Library it has 8 branch libraries. Six of these branch libraries are known as Palika Pustakalaya located in Aliganj Barat Ghar, Babar Road, Mandir Marg, North West Moti Bagh, Rohini and Laxmi Bai Nagar respectively. While NDMC Children Library is located in Kidwai Nagar, the Sports Library is located in Kaka Nagar.
5. Hardayal Municipal Public Library
Established in 1862 Hardayal Municipal Public Library is housed in Hardinge Building. It is the oldest Public Library in the city of Delhi and has attained the age of 150 years. Besides Main Library in Gandhi Ground (Chandni Chowk), it has two branches in Pulbangash and Daryaganj respectively. Out of 272 municipal wards in Delhi/New Delhi, the Library has its presence in 28 wards in the form of a ‘Branch Library’ or a ‘Reading Room`. Two of its Branch Libraries are functioning in rented buildings and rest of the 28 Branch Libraries are functioning from Community Centres of the respective municipal wards. Total number of staff of the entire Library System is 31 comprising 7 professionals, 9 semi-professionals and 15 support staff.
5.1 Managing Committee ( Prabandh Samiti)
As per item no.3 of the Constitution & Rules of the Hardinge Municipal Library “the governance of the library for the purposes of discharging functions in connection with the management and control of the
Library in general or otherwise in relation to the execution of the purposes of the Library” rests in the Governing Body called Managing Committee comprising 11 persons consisting: President (Mayor of Municipal Corporation of Delhi) Six selected sitting members of Municipal Corporation of Delhi nominated by the Managing Committee; and Four persons elected by the subscribers of the Library, Secretary is appointed from amongst the members of the Managing Committee.
5.1.1 Functions of the Prabandh Samiti are to:
-decide on policy matters
-frame library rules
-grant membership of the Library
-frame recruitment rules and appoint staff, and
–arrange funds for collection development.
5.2 Membership
Library has over 650 Life members on its roles. Life Membership is open for those who pay Rs.1500 plus security of Rs.1000 (refundable).The number of annual members is also almost same who enroll themselves as member by paying an annual subscription of Rs.200. For reading Room facilities one has to pay Rs.500 annually. Those who want books for home reading are required to make an additional deposit of Rs.1000 (refundable). This makes them eligible for getting issued two books for 15 days duration. Members wanting to get Text-Books issued have to pay an additional amount of Rs.400 (refundable).
5.3 Working Hours of Library
The Main Library remains open from 8am to 8pm on all weak days except holidays. However, Reading Room facility for newspapers is open 358 days of the year from 8am to 10pm free of cost.
5.4 Finance
Library derives its income from :
-Grants-in-aid from the Delhi Administration
-Grants in aid from Municipal Corporation of Delhi (North Zone),
-Membership subscription,
-Donations, and
-Sale of scraps
5.5 Book Stock
Its collection of 1,70,214 volumes comprises 84,314 Hindi and Sanskrit books, 64,447 English books; 21,453 Urdu, Arabic, Persian and other titles. It subscribes to 56 journals and 30 daily newspapers and caters to the needs of over 1250 (650 Life + 600 Annual) members. The purchasing of new books every year has been very inadequate because of the non-availability of sufficient funds. The rare book collection of 7,543 consists of 6,575 English titles, 582 Hindi & Sanskrit titles and 386 Arabic, Persian titles, etc. Ninety one of its precious documents were destroyed in a fire in a week long exhibition organized by Delhi Public Library to celebrate its 60th year function on 1st February 2010.
5.6 Services
Lending service is available from the Main Library located in Gandhi Ground and the 2 Branches at (i) Pul Bangash, and (ii) Daryaganj. The Reading Room facilities are available in Main Library as well as in Branch Libraries and all the sub-branches (Reading Rooms) in 28 municipal wards.
5.7 Computerization
Library is using SOUL 2.0 Library Management Software developed by INFLIBNET Centre (An Inter University Centre of University Grants Commission), Infocity ,Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat(). The rare-book collection comprising 7,543 volumes has been reclassified and re-catalogued using DDC22 and AACR2. For Subject headings Sears List of Subject Headings has been used.
Majority of the collection is still being accessed using Register Catalogue. Library has its own indigenous system of Classification which has been in use for over a century now.
6. Marwari Library
Marwari Library is another most important public library in old Delhi. It was established by Seth Kedarnath Goinka in 1915. It is located at #1457 Chadni Chowk area in a rented building having two floors. It is the second largest heritage Public Library founded in pre-independence India. It was the centre of meeting point for many revolutionaries, freedom fighters, politicians, social reformers and other important personalities in various walks of life like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Balgangadhar Tilak, Hari Bansh Rai Bacchan, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit and many others.
6.1 Book Stock
Its collection has 35,000 select titles mostly in Hindi language and serves to over 400 member readers. Its annual book budget is Rs. 1,00,000 beside Rs.5000 for periodicals and Rs.50,000 for binding. It follows closed access
6.2 Working Hours.
It is open from 9am to 8pm
6.3 Finance
Income of the Library is derived from :
-Properties of Marwari Charitable Trust,
-Grants-in-aid from the Delhi Administration
-Grants in aid from Municipal Corporation of Delhi,
-Membership subscription; and
-Donations.
The Income and Expenditure account of the Library for the financial year 2009-10 presents the following picture:
6.4 Staff Structure
The Library is under the charge of a trained Librarian. There are 3 professionals and one support staff.
6.5 Services
Besides reading room facilities and home loan facilities, the Library organizes cultural programmes.
6.6 Computerisation
Library has two computers, two printers and one scanner, but these are all being used for office work alone. Library catalogue is still being maintained manually. However, Internet facility is available on request to readers.
6.7 Seating capacity
The reading room of the library can accommodate 40 readers at a time. Beside, the Committee room has a capacity of 15 members at a time.
7. Raghumal Vedic Public Library
The Raghumal Vedic Public Library is yet another Public Library established in 1915. It is managed by Lala Raghumal Trust. Its collection exceeding 30,000 volumes has a concentration of Sanskrit and Vedic literature. Its annual budget is Rs. 10,000.
7.1 Finance
The sources of Library finance are:
-Trust’s property,
-Grants-in-aid, and
-Membership subscription.
8. Fatehpuri Masjid Library and reading room
The Fatehpuri Muslim Public Library and Reading Room, Chandni Chowk was created in 1926 and was attached to a School in Fatehpuri Mosque. It is also called Fatehpuri Islamic Library. It is being managed by the Delhi Wakf Board and caters to the requirements of Muslim community of the locality. The book stock exceeding 15,000 in Arabic, English,Hindi,Persian and Urdu, specializes in Islamic studies. It subscribes to 21 serials and 15 newspapers. It has 10 very old and valuable manuscripts of Mughal period. It remains open from 8am to 6pm. It is headed by a professionally qualified librarian supported by two other staff members. Its budget is ` 2,50,000 for books and`.1,600 for periodicals, `2000 for binding. Staff salary costs `77,000.
It is manually operated library using Colon Classification scheme for classification of books. Besides consultation, reference, bibliography, reading room facility, library provides photocopy service. Its reading room can accommodate 30 readers at a time.
9. Ramakrishna Mission Library and Reading Room
Ramakrishna Mission Library and Reading Room, New Delhi housed in the campus of Rama Krishna Mission Ashram at Pachkuiah Road, New Delhi was established in 1956. Its working hours are from 8am to 8pm. Its collection has crossed 50,000 volumes. Library subscribes/receives 150 periodicals besides 10 newspapers. It has a book budget of `100,000 per annum. Its staff strength comprise three male professionals and 5 other male support staff who work under the supervision of an engineer monk. Beside there are quite a few other volunteer library workers too.
Library is fully automated and uses VLIS (Vivekananda Library and Information Software) for organising its various housekeeping operations. It has 15 computers, 2 printers, 1 scanner and 3 bar code readers. It is a member of library consortium. Its services comprise consultation, book loan, referral, photocopy, internet browsing and OPAC. There is separate seating arrangement for males and females.
10. Purushottamdas Tandon Library
Established in 1960 with a small collection of 3360 books it has grown into a well developed library of over 70,000 books. It is an integral part of Servants of India Society, Delhi branch popularly known as Lok Sevak, Lajpat Bhawan Library. Library is located in Lajpat Nagar-IV, New Delhi. It is named after Bharat Ratna awardee Purushottamdas Tandon. The Collection of Library comprises ethics, philosophy, religion, social sciences, humanities, science, nature cure, arts, technology, history, biographies, etc. Library has about 7000 books for 1863 children members. Library has a special collection on Gandhian Literature. Library subscribes to 35 periodicals and 13 newspapers in English, Hindi and Urdu. Over 10,000 members utilize its services. Library has 260 Life members.
“The income of the library comprises of small annual grant from governmental agencies and for the rest it depends on donations received from friends and well wishers of the Servants of People Society, Library lovers and philanthropic individuals and institutions.”
-Purushottamdas Tandon Library Brochure. p 3 For various housekeeping operations Library is using LibGuru Library Management Siftware. Staff strength of the Library is only three
11. Delhi Public Library
The most important land-mark in the history of public libraries in the city of Delhi has been the creation of Delhi Public Library (DPL). It was established in 1951 as a Public Library Project by the Ministry of Education, Government of India with technical assistance from Unesco. Currently Delhi Public Library is functioning under the administrative control of Ministry of Culture, Government of India through Delhi Library Board, an autonomous body established under a special resolution of the then Ministry of Education, Government of India. It is housed in Auchinleck building opposite old Delhi Railway station. The building was to serve as a transit camp and canteen for defence personnel. The building is gifted by Seth Ramkrishna Dalmia. The foundation stone dated 5th February 1944 reads as:
11.1 Delhi Library Board
Delhi Library Board (DLB), the Governing Body of DPL consists of 15 members, including the Chairman and Vice-Chairman nominated by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Director General of DPL – a new post created in 2010 is the ex-officio Member Secretary of the DLB, representatives of the Union Ministry of Education, Delhi Administration, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council, Unesco, and four co-opted members. In addition there are various sub-committees constituted by DLB to organize different activities of DPL such as (i) Finance and Establishment Committee, (ii) Books Advisory Committee, (iii) Departmental Promotion Committee, (iv) Selection/Screening Committee, etc.
11.2 Delhi Public Library System
Besides Main Library at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg, the Delhi Public Library system comprises , one Regional Library at Sarojini Nagar, 3 branches (Karol Bagh, Patel Nagar, Shahdara), 24 braches, 3 community libraries,12 resettlement colony libraries, deposit stations, 70 Mobile Library points. In addition it has a Braille Library which caters to the requirements of over 505 visually impaired readers. In all it served 73,467 members during 2010-11 (Delhi Public Library Annual Report 2010-11 p.2-30).
11.3 Staff Strength
DPL has a sanctioned staff strength of 449 personnel comprising 329 professionally qualified library staff and remaining 120 non professionals. Many of these positions are lying vacant. Staff is an important component of the library system. Its impact is clearly reflected in the quality of library services. Efforts are being made to recruit the staff to fill these vacant posts.
As per Unit number 6.4.5.6 of Library Systems of VMOU Kota presents the following picture of DPL staff:
| Year | Staff strength | Year | Staff strength |
| 1963-64 | 176 | 1977-78 | 286 |
| 964-65 | 206 | 1978-79 | 295 |
| 1965-66 | 219 | 1979-80 | 300 |
| 1966-67 | 226 | 1980-81 | 301 |
| 1967-78 | 228 | 1981-82 | 308 |
| 1968-69 | 236 | 1982-83 | 311 |
| 1969-70 | 237 | 1983-84 | 444 |
| 1970-71 | 245 | 1984-85 | 454 |
| 1971-72 | 264 | 1985-86 | 454 |
| 1972-73 | 280 | 1986-87 | 454 |
| 1973-74 | 280 | 1987-88 | 463 |
| 1974-75 | 280 | 1988-89 | 467 |
| 1975-76 | 280 | 1989-90 | 469 |
| 1976-77 | 280 | 1990-91 | 483 |
11.4 Finance
DPL is fully financed by the Government of India. During 2010-11 it received grant-in-aid amounting to Rs. 16,66,00,000 under Non-plan head (Rs.12,41,00,000) and Plan head (Rs.4,25,00,000). It was spent under the following heads:
| Head of Account | Amount Spent | Amount Spent | Total |
| Non-Plan | Plan | ||
| Books & Reading Material | 6,83,000.00 | 84,81,000.00 | |
| Establishment | 11,01,25,000.00 | — | 11,01,25,000.00 |
| Other Items | 1,61,37,000.00 | 2,84,84,000.00 | 4,46,21,000.00 |
| TOTAL | 12,69,45,000.00 | 3,69,65,000.00 | 16,39,10,000.00 |
(Source: Delhi Public Library Annual report 2010-2011 p.2)
Breakup of Expenditure on Books & Reading Material during the financial year 2010-11 is as follows:
| Name of Head | Non-Plan | Plan | Total |
| Books | — | 84,81,089.00 | 84,81,089.00 |
| Periodicals & Newspapers with Unesco Coupons | 6,83,270.00 | — | 6,83,270.00 |
| Binding | — | 57,399.00 | 57,399.00 |
| Gramophone Records | — | — | — |
| TOTAL | 6,83,270.00 | 85,38,488.00 | 92,21,758.00 |
(Source: Delhi Public Library Annual report 2010-2011 p.2)
DVD Corners have been set up in 7 libraries of DPL System. These libraries are located at Central Library (Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg), Sarojini Nagar Regional Library, Patel Nagar Branch Library, Vinobapuri Branch Library, Janakpuri Branch Library, Karol Bagh Branch Library, and R K Puram Library. Together these seven libraries issued 19,374 CD/DVDs for home viewing during 2010-2011.
11.5 Expenditure on Books and Staff
During the initial years, the expenditure on books and staff salaries used to be almost equal. But as the staff component started growing, the expenditure on staff salaries started showing an upward trend. The following decennial figures of expenditure compiled from various annual reports of Delhi Public Library are a testimony to this:
| Years | Expenditure on books | Expenditure salary on staff |
| 1951-52 | 40,783 | 40,564 |
| 1961-62 | 1,13,529 | 1,96,584 |
| 1971-72 | 2,09,751 | 10,16,248 |
| 1981-82 | 3,88,203 | 32,41,751 |
| 1991-92 | 1,90,627 | 1,32,54,987 |
| 2001-2002 | 34,84,878 | 5,21,89,878 |
| 2011-2012 | N.A. | N.A. |
11. 6 Technical Services
On the basis of selection done by Book Advisory Committees for English, Hindi, Urdu and Panjabi, the books are purchased, technically processed and transferred to respective service units. During the year 2010-11 as many as 33,868 books were procured, out of which 33,647 were purchased and rest 221 were received as gratis from various sources. Under Delivery of Book Act 10,711 titles were received.
11.7 Readers Services
Any resident of NCT Delhi can avail free membership of DPL system without any annual subscription by filling a Membership Form obtainable from reception at a price of Rs. 2. The applicant has to make refundable security deposit of Rs.50 in case he/she is unable to secure the recommendation of a suitable guarantor such as a gazetted officer, elected public representative, MBBS doctor, lawyer, bank manager, chartered accountant, etc. Members are given 1 to 3 borrowers tickets depending upon the size of the library service unit against which books are issued for 14 days.
| Total membership (Adults 56,544 & Children 16,923) | 73,467 |
| Number of books issued | 11,69,734 |
| Average number of books issued per day | 3,378 |
| Number of books consulted in reference section | 20,659 |
| Attendance of readers in Reading Rooms | 2,44,499 |
(Source: Delhi Public Library Annual report 2010-2011 p3)
11.8 Childrens Sections
Childrens Sections have been set up in Central Library at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg, Sarojini Nagar Regional Library, and Patel Nagar Branch Library. All these three Childrens sections have been revamped with new books, DVDs, toys, games and suitable furniture. These Childrens’ sections are very well decorated and furnished with colourful chairs and tables.
11.9 Extension Services
DPL system is running two types of extension services i.e. (i) Deposit Stations, and (ii) Mobile Libraries.
11.9.1 Deposit Stations: This innovative scheme is being run by DPL in collaboration with housing societies/ resident welfare associations. Under this scheme books are lent to societies/associations and training imparted to their volunteers for keeping the issue and return record. At the end of March 2011 there were 22 such deposit stations in NCT of Delhi. The scheme served 2,451 members and issued 28,002 books.
11.9.2 Mobile Libraries: Since beginning of DPL, this scheme has been a very popular library service in colonies of Delhi and around. The Mobile Library Service was suspended for some years because of non availability of CNG mobile vans. This service has again been reintroduced since 2005. During 2010-11 it served 4,275 members in 70 colonies and issued 71,156 books. During the years 1964 to 1998 it served the following service points on 5 identified routes:
| years | Routes | service points |
| 1964-65 | 5 | 54 |
| 1981-82 | 5 | 65 |
| 1987-88 | 5 | 78 |
| 1988-89 | 5 | 81 |
| 1991-92 | 5 | 82 |
| 1992-93 | 5 | 86 |
| 1997-98 | 5 | 102 |
(Source:MPLS-02 Library Systems, Vardhman Mahaveer Open University, Kota. 2009 p. 77)
11.9.3 Baja Ghar: DPL ru ns a gramophone records and music cassettes library where these are lent to registered borrowers of the Library. These music records/cassettes comprise classical, instrumental, light music, bhajans, ghazals, filmy songs etc. The total stock of these music materials number 9,431.
11.9.4 Braille Library: The Braille is the specialized service of DPL which caters to the reading requirements of visually impaired members of the library. It has a total collection of 15,699 books in English and Hindi. During 2010-11 the library issued 16,421 books to 505 blind members.
11.9.5 Service to Prisoners: DPL provides library service to the prisoners of Central Tihar Jail of NCT Delhi. It served 570 registered prisoner members and issued them 15,839 books during 2010-11.
11.9.6 Practical Training in Library science: Under this service, technical advice and practical training is imparted to library & information science students and institutions to give them hands-on-experience in handling/performing different activities/jobs in libraries.
11.9.7 INTERNET service:
Internet service is being provided from three units of DPL. The following diagram shows the interest of users community in books and Internet among readers. It is found that on one side the interest of members is increasing in Internet, the record of issue of printed books is also increasing in three different libraries. This fact is to be considered carefully while bringing any change in purchase policy of electronic resources :
11.10 Collection
As on 31st March 2011 the collection of the DPL System stood at 16,08,813. Language wise breakup of books received under the provisions of Delivery of Book Act can be seen from the table given below:
| S.No. | Language | Stock as on 31-3-2010 | Receipt during 2010-2011 | Stock as on 31-3-2011 |
| 1 | Assamese | 399 | 0 | 399 |
| 2 | Bengali | 8167 | 245 | 8412 |
| 3 | English | 96042 | 6193 | 102235 |
| 4 | Gujarati | 708 | 0 | 708 |
| 5 | Hindi | 89229 | 2970 | 92199 |
| 6 | Kannada | 7585 | 0 | 7585 |
| 7 | Kashmiri | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 8 | Malayalam | 7448 | 0 | 7448 |
| 9 | Marathi | 20152 | 595 | 20747 |
| 10 | Oriya | 3058 | 0 | 3058 |
| 11 | Punjabi | 6469 | 400 | 6869 |
| 12 | Sanskrit | 1784 | 0 | 1784 |
| 13 | Sindhi | 562 | 0 | 562 |
| 14 | Tamil | 30978 | 0 | 30978 |
| 15 | Telugu | 5140 | 0 | 5140 |
| 16 | Urdu | 7564 | 308 | 7872 |
| TOTAL | 285297 | 10711 | 296008 |
(Source: Delhi Public Library Annual report 2010-2011 p.5)
DPL is also receiving the publications of the Asian Development Bank as its Depository Library since 1994.
These are available for consultation alone at the Main Library at Dr S P Mukherjee Marg, Delhi 110006.
11.11 Serials/Newspapers
Library subscribes to 110 periodicals and 29 newspapers.
11.12 Library Automation
The computerization activities at DPL were initiated in 1995 with the installation of computers loaded with UNESCO`s CDS/ISIS software package which enabled the library to create bibliographic databases. From 1997 onwards books received under DBA provision are being inputted in computer database. By end of March 2011 bibliographic records of 52,681 books in English and 38,180 books in Hindi had been created using CDS/ISIS. DPL is now using KOHA open software for books received under DBA provisions.
12. Dyal Singh Public Library
Dyal Singh Public Library is named after the name of Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia who was the son of Sardar Lehna Singh, a General in the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Dyal Singh Public Library was originally established in 1928 at Lahore in Punjab in pursuance of the WILL of Dyal Singh Majithia (1848-1898) – a philanthropist and social reformer of the 19th century Punjab. After partition of India, with the efforts of Late Dewan Anand Kumar, the first Vice Chancellor of Panjab University, the Dyal Singh Public Library was established once again in free India in 1950. The Library was re-established in its new building at #1 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi in 1957.
B K Nehru had once said that Dyal Singh Majithia was “undoubtedly one of the most remarkable pioneers who led India out of the darkness of ignorance to the enlightenment of modernity through liberal education”. India celebrated the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dyal Singh Majithia in 1998 as well as his 100th Death Anniversary as Majithia died on September 9, 1898. Dyal Singh Majithia established the Tribune newspaper and a Public Library well endowed with books, which were made available to general public free of cost.
Dyal Singh Public Library was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 on 2.8.1948 at Kalka (then in east Punjab) in accordance with the `WILL of the donor of the Trust Late Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia. Justice R.S. Sarkaria says that “Dyal Singh College and Dyal Singh Library are today a mute testimony to the vision of this great man”. The Library is a Charitable Public Trust.
12.1 Mission and Mandate
The Mission and Mandate of Dyal Singh Public Library is “Imparting knowledge and Dissemination of Information to general public from all sections of society without any discrimination and without any fee”.
Daily visitors: Around 90 to 100
Daily consultation of books: Between 125-150
Working hours/days 9.30 AM to 5.30 PM 6 days / week
Closed on Sundays and Gazetted Holidays
12.2 Library Clientele : Registered Library Members: 9000
12.2.1 Membership Breakup in percentage:
| Students | 70 Percent |
| Professionals | 18 Percent |
| Govt/Private officials | 9 Percent |
| Businessmen | 2 Percent |
| Retired Persons | 1 Percent |
| Housewives | 0.3 Percent |
12.2.2 Subject Interest of Library Clientele:
| English Literature (Fiction) | 100 Percent |
| Computer Science | 62 Percent |
| Management | 59 Percent |
| History | 56Percent |
| Science & Technology | 19Percent |
[Source: Survey conducted by Mr. Pankaj Kumar in 2006]
12.2.3 Library Use
In yet another Survey conducted by Delhi Library Association in 2007 it was found that out of 25 readers present in the Library on the day of distribution of the Questionnaire, 40 percent of them were students and the other 60 percent were teachers, government officials, executives, engineers, medical professionals, journalists, etc. The readers were having qualifications as graduate, MBA, CA, MBBS, MD, MCA, BCA and so on.
Users had shown their interests in the subjects like economics, business management, accountancy, science, sociology, history, English literature, computer science, philosophy, general study, current affairs, engineering, education, public administration, etc.
12.3 Library Building
The Library is housed on the ground floor of the two-storey building of its own. Except for few rooms for Trust Officials and readers, the entire upper floor is rented to other offices and to the daily Tribune (newspaper). The total area of Library compound is 1.31 acres.
12.3.1 Floor Plan: Reading hall on ground floor opens to the view of first floor of the building with high ceiling. Stack rooms and reading hall is a unified one. Stack area is a mix of steel and wooden double faced unit racks of 7.5 feet and 6 feet of height respectively. There are 198 unit
racks/book shelves. Ninety units fixed on one side of entrance and 102 units on the other side stand organized into six blocks.
12.4 Furniture Wooden
| Reading Tables | 14 |
| Chairs (Ground Floor.) | 50 |
| Chairs (First Floor.) | 25 |
12.5 Other Facilities
- A Genset with automatic backup is there in standby to meet the load shedding situation.
- Water Cooler.
- One air conditioner (Samsung) in computer server room. The other AC is fixed in librarian’s room.
- Wall mounted fans
12.6 Governing Body: Dyal Singh Library Trust Society
- President
- Honorary Secretary
- General Manager
- Administrator
12.7 Book Selection Committee
It comprises following members:
- President
- Honorary Secretary
- General Manager
- Any Trustee, and
- Librarian
12.8 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
12.9 Library Manpower
Manpower in position = 7
Professionals = 2
semi Professional = 1
Library Attendants =1
Vacant Posts
(i) Librarian = 1 (Vacant since September 2006)
(ii) Sr. Library Attendant = 1
12.10 Budget
Main source of Revenue of Dyal Singh Public Library Trust is from the rent of the building. Roughly the earnings are distributed as below:
| For staff | = Rs. 5,00,000 |
| For books | = Rs. 3,00,000 |
| For periodicals | = Rs. 1,20,000 |
| For binding | = Rs. 60,000 |
12.11 Library Collection
| Books = | 40,000 |
E-books: Encyclopedia Britannica on CD-ROM 2 CDs. Audio-visual CDs, DVDs and Audio-visual Cassettes are a available in small numbers
| Periodicals / Magazines: | ||
| through subscription | = | 100 |
| complimentary basis | = | 25-30 |
| annual Report (ICRA) | = | 1 |
| newspapers (National) | = | 21 |
| Language wise | Break-up | |
| English | = | 13 |
| Hindi | = | 7 |
| Urdu | = | 1 |
12.12 Arrangement of Book Collection
Books have been organized on shelves in a classified order using Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme. Library is using e-Granthalaya open library software for management of its collection.
12.13 Computer H/W & Accessories available
- IBM Server X series with 2 GB RAM
| Ø IBM computers P-4 = | 11 |
| Laser Printer | 1 |
| Scanner | 1 |
12.13.1 Placement computers
In Library (Ground Floor)
Computer Room 2
• Stand by 1
• Circulation counter 1
• Reference Desk 1
• Librarian 1
• OPAC 1
In Office (First Floor)
• President 1
• General Manager 1
• Administrator 2
Total 11
- Audio-visual material:
- A-V CDs
- DVD Player
- AV cassettes
- Audio system
- Tele Vision
- LCD Projector (Sony)
- Display Screens
12.14 Software:
- E-Granthalaya library software of National Informatics Centre (NIC, GOI) consists of all functional modules of integrated library working works through Library LAN.
- Internet/E-mail connectivity via MTNL.
- Multimedia equipment.
- Photocopier (Canon IR 1600) 30 Copies/Minute
- Digitization: Retro conversion of English Books =26,918
- OPAC facility, Searchable through OPAC.
12.15 Library Services
Library provides following services:
Conventional Services
- Book loan/Issue and Return service. Books are issued for two weeks.
- Inter library Loan to DELNET members for Two weeks.
- Book reservation on demand from readers.
- Book Acquisition. Book selection is done through
- Books on Approval
- Books selection tools,
- On user demands
- Book processing: Books are technically processed using Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme 22nd edition, and Cutters Table. Cataloguing is done following AACR-II code.
- Periodicals acquisition: some 100 periodicals and magazine and 21 National daily Newspapers are procured and put on display.
- Documentation work/bibliography compilation is done on demand.
- Reference service is given in routine manner.
- Binding of books is got done on rate contract basis from outside firms in once two-three years.
Electronic Services
- Retro conversion of all English language books is done and digital catalogue is made available through OPAC placed in Reading Room.
- Issue and Return of books is done electronically for English books.
- Internet browsing and E-mail facility is given in limited manner
- CD-ROM (Encyclopaedia Britannica) is searched on specific demand
Training
- Ø Orientation / Guidance is provided to new users
- Training in library use is given
- OPAC: Hands on training is given to new users
- Multimedia and Audio-visual services are provided on a limited scale.