Delhi Public Library plans school outreach as it marks 75 years

Delhi Public Library plans to take quizzes and reading activities to 1,050 schools through an outreach programme aimed at around one million students across Delhi.

The library announced the programme at a ceremony marking its 75th year at Kautilya Hall in the Samrat Hotel, Chanakyapuri. It is intended to introduce students to India’s history, culture, literature and scientific traditions.

Delhi Public Library was inaugurated by India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on October 27, 1951. The Ministry of Education established it with UNESCO’s financial and technical assistance; it now operates under the Union Ministry of Culture.

Delhi Library Board chairperson Dr Sumeet Bhasin said public libraries should extend beyond book lending to support learning, research, cultural exchange and community participation. Culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said libraries must preserve India’s intellectual heritage while making it accessible to future generations.

The library also plans to launch Gyan Rath, a mobile-library initiative focused on digital literacy, responsible artificial-intelligence awareness and technology-enabled library services.