29 Dec :Delhi Public Library is an autonomous organization under the Union Ministry of Culture and governed by Delhi Library Board, fully financed by the Government of India. Delhi Public Library (DPL) was started as a UNESCO project in the year 1951 by the Govt. of India. It was inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, started as small unitary library in old Delhi, Opp. Old Delhi Railway Station. It has since developed into a premier Public Library System in the metropolitan city of Delhi.Delhi Public Library has a network of Zonal Libraries, Branches & Sub-branches, R.C.Libraries, Community Libraries, Deposit Stations, Sports Libraries, Mobile Library, Braille library, etc. spread all over Delhi. The library is well stocked with collection of over 14 lakh books in Hindi, English, Urdu, Punjabi & other Indian Languages- almost all subjects are represented in its collection. The Delhi Public Library is also one of the 4th recipient library under the provision of Delivery of Books & Newspaper (Public Libraries) Act 1954. The Library provides free library services to the residents of Delhi. Circulation of books is one of the major activities of the library. The library offers services to children and also organises cultural activities such as lectures, debates, exhibitions etc. Some of the outstanding features of the library activities are services to Blind, Prisoners and offers Mobile Library service also. Delhi Public Library is the biggest Public Library System in India and the busiest Public Library in South East Asia
Achievements & Highlights
DPL OPENS ALL SEVEN DAYS
DPL and its branches were opening six days a week. They now remain open all seven days (including Sundays except Gazetted Holidays) for members. The members of the DPL can now borrow/return their books even on weekends (Sundays).
Free Internet Service
Delhi Public Library (DPL) is providing high speed free Internet Service to the members in Sarojini Nagar, Central Library (S.P.Mukherjee Marg), and Patel Nagar branch libraries. Ten computer terminals in each of these branch libraries are kept for internet use to the members. This has been a big hit in these libraries, the terminals are always busy. Seeing the response we have proposed to upgrade another 10 terminals in these branches very soon.
Free CD/DVD lending to the members
DPL has launched free lending of CD/DVD collection on 24.10.2008 in Central library (S.P.Mukherjee Marg, opposite Old Delhi Railway Station) and 28-11-2008 at South Zonal Library, Sarojini Nagar. This service will be extended to Patel Nagar branch libraries very soon. The DVDs collection comprises English, Hindi movies, educational, recreational and children CD/DVDs.
DPL Catalogue made Online
DPL made its catalogue (OPAC) online with Koha open source library automation software. DPL is very proud to be the first public library in India using the latest version of Koha 3.0 for library computerization. Users from across the world and nearly 45,000 DPL members can now access most current catalogue of DPL system by title, subject and author through Internet on our websites at www.dpl.gov.in or http://delhipubliclibrary.in.
Revamped Children Section
DPL revamped its Children Sections in Sarojini Nagar, Patel Nagar and Central Library Branches. Entire new collection of books, CD/DVDs, furniture and children games added in these branches.
DPL’s modernization programme was kick-started early this year, and the response from public to these new services has been overwhelming and these will be introduced in other libraries as well in a phased manner.
To remind the public, all services offered by DPL are free to the library members. The procedure for enrolling, as a member is very simple, for enrolling and other details visit library website or http://www.dpl.gov.in/ or visit the library near your locality.