Delhi Unveils India's First Fully Digital Library

The Jayaprakash Narayan Public Library, New Delhi's inaugural fully digital library, has officially opened its doors. This modern facility features automated book lending and return systems, significantly enhancing the user experience for patrons.

The library houses an impressive collection of over 32,000 physical books across diverse subjects. Complementing this, it offers free access to an extensive e-library boasting nearly one crore digital books, making a vast repository of knowledge accessible to all.

Inaugurated by Union home minister Amit Shah, the three-storey structure includes an auditorium, a dedicated research centre, reading halls, a children's section, and digital workstations. Visitors can benefit from free Wi-Fi for research and accessing study materials.

The library honors freedom fighter Jayaprakash Narayan, with dedicated sections showcasing his life and legacy. It also features literary works by prominent writers like Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar' and Munshi Premchand, covering various genres including Hindi and English literature, poetry, and competitive exam preparation. The children's section notably includes the complete Harry Potter series.

Union Minister Amit Shah emphasized the importance of reading, urging the Delhi government to interconnect libraries across the city and link them with schools. He encouraged library staff to engage with local schools to foster early reading habits among students.

The library is equipped with an RFID-based management system integrated with the National Digital Library of India. While general access is free, membership will be required for borrowing books and utilizing certain services, with initial memberships limited to 500 individuals to manage visitor numbers.