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Dyal Singh Library steps into the digital age

By Amir Nafees

LAHORE: While many libraries of the nation, wither for the lack of funds, Dyal Singh Trust Library, a century old institution and the second largest repository of books in Punjab, proudly continues to provide quality services to the book reading community of Lahore.

However, while the numbers of visitors remain high, Chief Librarian Abida notices a decline in visitors. She blames this trend on the increasing use of computers for reading books and journals on the Internet.

To counter this, a Technical and Computer Services department has been created in the library. She said that the library had plans to convert its entire collection into a digital form in the near future. To facilitate visitors, all books are catalogued on computer. Three computers have been provided for public use.

An audio visual aid section has also been established to keep the library technologically abreast. The section includes a microfilm, a reader and printer for old newspapers, an overhead projector, audio equipment, a TV/VCR and a cinema system.

Dyal Singh Trust Library was established in 1908 in accordance with the will of Shiri Dyal Singh Ji Majithia, a man of great vision and love for knowledge. He was born in 1848 and amassed a sizeable fortune in his lifetime. Before his death though, he donated all of his wealth in the form of three trusts with the purpose of furthering education.

The library was originally opened at residence of Diyal Singh as a reading room and housed his personal collection of one thousand books. In 1928 it was shifted to its current location on Nisbat Road and became a dependable source of books for the citizens of the city.

During the partition of 1947 it suffered a great catastrophe. A large number of books and furniture were damaged. As a result of the migration of its trustees, the library closed down. After 12 years, in 1964 it was revived under the control of the Evacuee Trust Property Board.

The library enjoys a membership of more than six thousand, out of which, nearly one thousand are lifetime members. According to Ms Abida, approximately 70 to 100 regular members visit the library daily. Besides them, 150 to 200 people come in every day to read. A large number of these are students who come to the institution for research and study.

Dyal Singh Library houses more than 172, 000 books and 10,000 periodicals. The uniqueness of the establishment, however, lies in its collection of newspapers. The library has carefully preserved every national paper since 1964 and several periodicals dating back to 1927, including the first editions of Nawai Waqt. It currently subscribes to 12 newspapers and 55 journals. Another 129 magazines are sent complimentary.

The library also boasts 111 publications in its name. Two of these, written on the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Ghariboan Kay Wali and Nabi-e-Karim Ki Moashi Zindagi, have received presidential awards. A children’s section serves the 432 regular child members. Approximately 10,888 books have been acquired for this purpose alongside numerous toys and games.

The chief librarian is happy with the attention given by the government to Dyal Singh Library. She said that Rs 4.83 million had been allocated this year for the management of library affairs. Without a shortage of funds, the library is able to ensure quality preservation of its numerous manuscripts from dust and fungus, and expand its collection of books by adding nearly 1,500 to 2,000 new publications each year. A seven-member special committee has been formed by the Trust for this purpose.

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