It gives us immense pleasure to welcome you to the Central Reference Library — the heart of academic and research resources at the University of Delhi. As one of the country's oldest and most prestigious academic libraries, the Central Reference Library stands as a symbol of scholarly excellence, inclusivity, and innovation. Established in 1922, the library has grown from a modest collection of donated books to a sprawling knowledge hub spread across 186,773 square feet. Our current building, inaugurated in 1958 by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, then President of India, reflects a perfect fusion of heritage architecture and modern academic vision. With its spacious reading halls, stack rooms, and landscaped courtyards, the library offers a serene and intellectually stimulating environment. Our infrastructure supports over 2,000 readers at a time, with dedicated reading spaces and specialized halls that house an extensive collection of books, journals, theses, government documents, and rare publications. Each corner of the library is thoughtfully designed to inspire inquiry and support lifelong learning. Whether you’re an undergraduate student or a senior researcher, the library caters to every academic need with its meticulously curated physical and digital collections.
The Central Reference Library is not just a repository of books—it is a dynamic academic support center. We are proud to offer access to the DU E-Library platform, which provides single-window access to millions of open educational resources, subscription-based journals, and academic databases. Our digitization efforts have also brought rare books and over 10,000+ Ph.D. theses into the digital space for easier access. Our commitment to academic integrity is reflected in our plagiarism-check services and regular training programs on research ethics, citation tools, and information literacy. The library regularly hosts exhibitions of doctoral theses, dissertations, and faculty publications to celebrate the scholarly achievements of our academic community. Inclusivity is at the core of our values. The Braille Library and the DU-NTPC Centre ensure that our visually impaired and differently-abled users have equal access to resources and facilities. We continue strengthening our physical and digital infrastructure to serve a diverse and growing user base. We welcome you to explore the full potential of the Central Reference Library. Here, tradition meets technology, and knowledge is always within reach. We encourage you to make the most of the vast resources and services available, and we look forward to supporting you on every step of your academic journey.
Welcome again to your Library — a timeless space where knowledge thrives, curiosity is nurtured, and the journey of learning never ends.