“The Hardayal library is an important signpost of our city’s history. We need to ensure that it is restored to its erstwhile glory,” said Jung.

In a meeting on Friday, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung approved a Rs 3-crore grant for the restoration of the ailing Hardayal municipal public library in Chandni Chowk.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner (North corporation) representatives from the South and East corporations, the secretary and librarian and senior government officers.

“The Delhi Urban Heritage Foundation (DUHF) will look into the restoring the library’s outer and inner structure. A joint inspection shall be undertaken immediately to chart out the course to be taken and for removal of encroachments. Work shall also be undertaken to help digitise rare and old books in the library’s collection,” stated the Lt-Governor.

“The Hardayal library is an important signpost of our city’s history. We need to ensure that it is restored to its erstwhile glory,” said Jung.

Established in 1862, the library is more than 150 years old and is presumably the oldest one in Delhi. It has a collection of extremely rare and precious books, including books dating back to the 16th century.

It has a collection of more than 1,70,000 books in different languages, with 8,000 of these in the rare category section. It has 28 branches which are spread all across the three municipalities of Delhi.

source:  http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities> Delhi / by Express News Service / New Delhi – August 29th, 2015