Government to digitise iconic Old Delhi library

New Delhi: The new year promises to be a hopeful one for the iconic Hardinge Library in Old Delhi with plans afoot to revamp the historic institution through digitisation of rare books and restoration of its century-old building.

Authorities are also endeavouring to put this city landmark on a tourism map, besides reviving it as a hub of socio-cultural events.

“The library in its heydays hosted regular socio-cultural programmes, besides being a treasure trove of historical books and manuscripts. For last several decades, that glory has faded, and now we are trying to revive it, with poetry recitals, mushairas and other events,” Shobha Vijender, Member Secretary, library’s management committee, told PTI.

The library began its journey in 1862, when its collections were kept in the Lawrence Institute in Old Delhi’s Town Hall. In 1916, it was relocated to the current building in Chandni Chowk and was renamed the Hardinge Municipal Public Library, after Viceroy Lord Hardinge.

Post-Independence, ‘Hardinge’ was replaced with ‘Hardayal’, after freedom fighter Lala Hardayal. And, currently it is known as Hardayal Municipal Heritage Public Library. However, it’s popularly knows as Hardinge library.

The grey iron racks hold a collection of 1.70 lakh books, including 20 books that are among the rarest in the world.