Rightly said by Walter Savage Landor, “Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library.”
According to my way of thinking, Library is one place where we can spend quality time with great books. It is a place where we can entertain and educate ourselves by reading along with a great mix of friends in a peaceful environment.
To connect the dots of our discussion on Library and its importance to each one of us within our own circle of thoughts, I will take you through one of the oldest public libraries in Delhi NCR, India, which I have recently visited. This library is famous by the name Dyal Singh Public Library.
About 70 years ago, it was established by then Vice Chancellor of Panjab
University and now it is run by the Dyal Singh trust. Despite being one of the oldest libraries of our country, it is deprived of the modern infrastructure and facilities but the library is not only meant for that. Infact this library is very good in true sense when it comes to the core requirements of any library. The library has a collection of over 40,000 books in various languages including but not limited to English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. This collection has a mix of Literature, History, Philosophy, Religious, Social Science, Behavioural, Information Technology etc related books.
The library has a wide range of subscriptions of Magazines and daily Newspapers. These are available on the corridor of first floor reading hall.
There is a big space for reading in the library. The reading area is quite peaceful. During my visit to this library, I found around 50 students studying there from various faculties.
At present renovation work is going on and hence it is full of dust here and there.
Entry for this library is free and one can enjoy the library resources free of charge. Life time membership is very economical and the members can take 4 books at a time with 14 days of return policy.
During my visit, I got an opportunity to talk to the head librarian. He is a very gentle person working here for about 28 years and operating almost lonely in this calm and peaceful environment. It is because of him I was able to capture some of the deep details about this library. Sincere gratitude to him.
Some important and helpful pointers and tips for the visitors:
1. Visit Preference: Library is open from Monday to Saturday from 9.30 AM to 5.30 PM. Closed on Sunday and Public holidays.
2. Entry Fee: Free of Charge
3. Google Maps Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TUAomuJZ6E5VoDSJ6
4. Address: Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, Mata Sundari Railway Colony, Mandi House, New Delhi, Delhi, 110002
5. Nearest Railway Station: New Delhi Railway Station, Ajmeri Gate Side
6. Nearest Metro Station: ITO
7. Wheelchair 
Accessibility: At present it is not accessible to Wheelchair
8. This place is 
LGBTQ friendly.
9. Nearby attraction: Shankar’s International Dolls Museum
As J.K. Rowling said, ‘When in doubt go to the library.’ Food for thought.
Keep building a well-informed community stronger 
together.
Stay Happy, Stay Healthy!
JAI HO!!!
