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History of the Central Reference Library
The Central Library of the University of Delhi, often referred to as the Central Reference Library, began its journey in 1922 with a modest collection of 1,380 gifted books and 86 current periodicals. In its formative years, the Library operated from various temporary locations as the University itself moved across different buildings. A significant milestone was reached in 1933 when the University shifted to its present location. The Library found a home in the Ballroom of the Old Vice-Regal Lodge. This space was renovated with generous support from Shri G.D. Birla. Enhancements included the acquisition of sixteen magnificent Burma teak bookcases donated by Lord Linlithgow and the Fellows of All Souls College, Oxford.
The current Central Library building was inaugurated on December 1, 1958, by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the then Chancellor and President of India. The foundation stone had been laid in 1954 by Dr. G.S. Mahajani, then Vice-Chancellor of the University. Visionary leadership played a key role in shaping the Library's growth. Sir Maurice Gwyer, Vice-Chancellor (1938–1950), and pioneers like Dr. S.R. Ranganathan (father of modern library science in India) and Professor S. Das Gupta (University Librarian, 1942–1966) were instrumental in professionalizing and expanding the Library's services. Initially overseen by a Library Committee and honorary librarians—including prominent scholars such as Professor I.H. Qureshi and Dr. T.G.P. Spear—the Library transitioned to a formal system of governance in the 1960s. Following recommendations made by Dr. Carl M. White, an American library expert invited by then Vice-Chancellor Dr. C.D. Deshmukh, the University restructured its library administration. The Central Library became the nucleus of the newly established Delhi University Library System (DULS) in 1968. Under the stewardship of leaders like Professor Anand Prakash Srivastava and successive University Librarians, the Central Library witnessed significant modernization. New libraries, such as the Central Science Library and Braille Library, were established, and the entire system began to function in an integrated manner.
In 1995, the University Grants Commission (UGC) sanctioned a grant of ₹1 crore for computerization, and by 1999, digitization efforts began in earnest. This transformation was accelerated in the 2000s with the launch of web-based services and subscription to major electronic databases. Information literacy programs, digitization of theses and rare books, and the launch of a dedicated DU E-Library platform in 2021 further enhanced access. Today, the Central Library stands as a vital academic hub—supporting research, teaching, and learning across disciplines. It serves as the center for plagiarism control, publishes abstracts of doctoral research, and hosts exhibitions of scholarly work during the Annual Convocation. It also supports users with disabilities through specialized services like the Braille Library and the DU-NTPC Center.
Infrastructure and Layout
Housed in an architecturally significant building, the Central Library spans a total area of 186,773 sq. ft., reflecting a perfect blend of traditional design and academic utility. The main reading room area measures 50,000 sq. ft., accommodating around 2,000 readers at a time. The stack rooms—where the bulk of the physical collections are stored—occupy approximately 100,000 sq. ft. of carpet area. The design of the building includes a main hall of 300 feet by 35 feet, flanked by two additional halls, each measuring 145 feet by 35 feet. A central connecting hall, measuring 95 feet by 30 feet, links the main hall with two stack halls located 60 feet away. These architectural features are enhanced by two open-air courtyards with flower beds, creating an environment conducive to quiet study and research.
Collections and Resources
The Central Reference Library houses a vast multidisciplinary collection of print and digital resources. This includes textbooks, reference materials, periodicals, rare books, government publications, and doctoral theses. Over the years, the library has actively digitized its holdings—particularly rare and valuable materials—as part of its modernization efforts. The collection is continuously updated to support new academic programs and research areas. The library also provides access to the DU E-Library platform, a digital gateway launched in 2021 that offers access to subscribed content and over 1.4 million open educational resources. The digital collection includes full-text access to e-journals, e-books, databases, and archives, ensuring that users have seamless, anytime-anywhere access to knowledge.
Core Services and Academic Support
As the central hub for reference services within DULS, the library offers essential academic support services, including plagiarism detection and research integrity checks. It regularly publishes a compilation of abstracts under the title Doctoral Research, providing a consolidated overview of Ph.D. work being conducted within the university. Each year, the library hosts exhibitions of doctoral theses, dissertations, and faculty publications to coincide with the University’s Annual Convocation.
The library is also deeply invested in information literacy, regularly conducting training sessions on topics such as e-resource access, research metrics (Impact Factor, h-index), academic writing, and citation management tools.
Inclusive Services
The Central Reference Library is inclusive in its approach, hosting a Braille Library for visually impaired users and offering specialized services through the DU-NTPC Centre for users with other disabilities. These facilities ensure equitable access to information for all members of the academic community.
The Mission
- To provide quality, user-oriented library services responsive to academic and research needs;
- To enrich the University's educational environment by managing and delivering scholarly resources;
- To promote lifelong learning by supporting independent learning and information literacy;
- To equip staff with training and infrastructure for innovation and excellence.