Welcome to the thriving world of readers and academics! India’s capital, Delhi, is a treasure mine for voracious readers and book lovers. Many libraries stand out as beacons of literary greatness in a city that is rich in culture, history, and a deep appreciation of the written word.
Delhi boasts a wide variety of libraries to meet your needs, whether you’re a student seeking for a peaceful place to study, a bibliophile hunting for rare manuscripts, or just someone who values the comfort of a good book. Here, we’ll explore the “Top 10 Best Libraries in Delhi for Readers,” each of which has a distinct charm and a vast array of books just waiting to be explored.
In order to discover these literary havens that appeal to all those who seek the power of words, let’s set out on a literary adventure through Delhi.
Looking for Delhi Best Libraries? “You are invited to enter the building. It doesn’t really matter if you’re wealthy or not. Books can be found on shelves and in cartons. Please feel free to use them as you see fit. Library……
Libraries are a veritable gold mine of information and learning, a haven for readers, for those who value solitude and quiet, and what better way to occupy those times than with books.
You can get anything you need from it, including high-quality images.
No images taken at a library can be awful; after all, who doesn’t like the muted lighting, the basic décor, the range of brown colors, and you and your book?
Libraries preserve the histories of all places; some are well-known for their architecture, while others are well-known for their wide-ranging book collections. In order to avoid missing any of New Delhi’s most beautiful libraries, read on.
The top 10 libraries in Delhi that you simply must visit are listed here.
- Delhi Public Library, New Delhi, India
- Sahitya Akademi Library, New Delhi, India
- Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, New Delhi, India
- Central Library, New Delhi, India
- Dr. BC Roy Children’s Reading Room and Library, New Delhi, India
- National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, India
- Archaeological Survey of India
- The Japan Foundation, New Delhi, India
- The American Library, New Delhi, India
- British Council Library, New Delhi, India
1. Delhi Public Library, New Delhi, India
On October 27, 1951, the library was established as a pilot project with funding from UNESCO and the Government of India. When General Sir Claude Auchinleck asked Shri Ramkrishna Dalmia to give the majority of the money required to create a library, the library project got underway.
The library has been growing its services as a hub for the diffusion of knowledge, information, and culture. More people believe that the library should become more than just a place to check out books; rather, it should grow into a powerful institution committed to fostering intellectual endeavors and cultivating a sense of community among its patrons. You must visit one of the state’s best and oldest libraries.
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Timing: 10 am–5 pm.
2. Sahitya Akademi Library, New Delhi, India
One of the most significant multilingual libraries in India is the Sahitya Akademi Library, which houses a sizable collection of volumes (almost 2 lac) on literature and related topics in the 24 languages recognized by the Sahitya Akademi.
The Library is renowned for having a sizable book collection on translation studies, women’s studies, cultural histories, and literary theories and criticism. Its specialized collections include writings by and about Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Aurobindo, and Rabindranath Tagore.
It also includes reference volumes with a focus on literature, philosophy, religion, art, and culture from India and around the world. Additionally, a particular collection of books was given to the library by Prof. Gopi Chand Narang.
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Timing: 9.30 am to 6.00 pm.
3. Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, New Delhi, India
Spending hours reading in this library is the definition of tradition. Being a museum, it is a calm setting for reading. Or to do what we all do best: act as though there is a “deeper meaning” hidden in each and every object shown in a museum.
The NMML houses a specialized library that has been created and developed as a unique research and reference center on colonial and post-colonial India, with its extremely rich and varied collection of books, periodicals, photos, and other resource materials on microfilm and microfiche.
There is a sizable manuscript portion in the NMML. Along with archives of political and other non-official organizations, associations, and societies that contributed to the creation of modern India, it also gathers and maintains the private papers of prominent people.
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Timing: 9 am–5:30 pm.
4. Central Library, New Delhi, India
The Central Library, one of the most well-known libraries in history, is home to a collection of rare books, worldwide magazines, and scientific research papers. You must sign up as a corporate member to access this library, even though IIT students, staff, and faculty are free to use it.
Which, while expensive, is still cheaper than a two-year journey to Kota and enrollment in a coaching facility.
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Timing: 8:00 am to 3:00 am
5. Dr. BC Roy Children’s Reading Room and Library, New Delhi, India
The library, established by well-known cartoonist Shankar Pillai, has 40,000 books in its collection that span a wide range of topics that kids would find interesting (particularly science, art and culture, mythology, etc.).
Any child may join the library thanks to its open access policy. Members can choose between regular and special memberships, and ID cards are provided for future usage.
All kids between the ages of five and eighteen are welcome to use this library. The library is available from 9:30 am to 5 pm every day of the week and offers special memberships beginning at INR 700.
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Timing: 9:30 am–5 pm.
6. National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, India
a library exclusively devoted to the fields of design and art. To address the demands of many academic fields like art history, art criticism, and art enjoyment, the National Gallery of Modern Art’s Art Reference Library has volumes on painting, sculpture, graphics, architecture, and other minor arts.
The Library subscribes to 32 Indian and foreign art publications, the most significant of which are Studio, Leonardo, Burlington Magazine, Art News, and Art in America. While the cost of membership is unknown, you can use them as references.
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Timing: Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 6:30 pm and on the weekends from 11 am to 8 pm.
7. Archaeological Survey of India
This lovely library opened its doors in 1902, Over 100,000 books, documents, and journals are housed in the library’s collection. The topics covered include history, anthropology, archaeology, architecture, art, epigraphy & numismatics, indology, literature, geology, and other topics.
You won’t find them at galleries, but they also have an incredible collection of rare books and artwork. The general public is welcome to use the library for research. The library is free to use for research.
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Timing: 9:30 am to 6 pm.
8. The Japan Foundation, New Delhi, India
Manga Fans! Assemble! This is where you come to unwind on your own terms. This country-specific library provides research information about Japan and cross-cultural interchange as well as reference services for the collection. This library has everything, including singles, sequels, and sagas. You may photocopy, use multimedia technologies that are accessible, and borrow.
Anyone who resides in Delhi/NCR is eligible to join. Ask for a day membership card if you want to use the library only for one or two days. The membership is open from Tuesday through Saturday and costs INR 300 per year.
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Timing: 11 am–6:30 pm
9. The American Library, New Delhi, India
Being a haven for Books enthusiasts, this lovely library is charming. You can find any genre from their extensive collection of bound parchments. Furthermore, you are welcome to join this utopia and borrow two DVDs, six books, and two back issues of periodicals. To access this membership, you must be older than 16 and have a valid photo ID.
Don’t waste time checking your Instagram instead of reading the priceless books; they also have free wifi.
Individual membership fees are INR 400 per year, family membership fees are INR 500 per year, and institutional membership fees are INR 4000 per year.
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Timing: 11 am–6:30 pm
1. British Council Library, New Delhi, India
One of Delhi’s most well-liked libraries is this one. The books and other services of this library are only available to members; they are not available to the general public. In addition to books, you can subscribe to periodicals and newspapers that are unavailable in India.
You have access to all of the British Council’s lectures, seminars, and events if you are a member of their library. You can choose between several memberships based on costs, borrowing policies, and other factors. It is one of New Delhi’s most inventive libraries. The first month’s subscription is INR 2,000
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Timing: 11 am–6:30 pm
In the hopes that these places would be your next stop to read, research, and love in Delhi, we will keep on bringing you the best of places to read, So that your passion of stories and literature never ceases, write and explore. Hardbound and paperbacks are still preferred over phones, laptops, and kindles by those who still use libraries.
Then, have a great reading day!
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