Mobile Library Service with a Special Reference to Delhi Public Library

Abstract

With the growth of electronic media and scientific/ technological advances, a continual flow of literature-journals, magazines, book reports, etc., has flooded the market. In the era of the information explosion, this knowledge has been democratized and made easily accessible. While this knowledge is not limited to public libraries, the public Library movement has greatly emphasized the utilitarian aspects of books and reading materials. Dr. S. R. Ranganathan, the father of the library movement in India, enunciated its five laws that have brought about a revolutionary change in library development in India. Mobile library service envisaged the spread of knowledge and literacy among people to whom library services are out of reach. People living in far-flung areas where library facilities do not exist have easy access to reading materials through the mobile library. Delhi Public Library is among the forerunners in starting such service in Dehi. Financing constraints, however, continue to hinder service expansions. The Delhi Public Library has 67 mobile service units to meet the reading needs of 7,403 members. The Extension Department supervising the Mobile Library Service has 145,957 books as of 31 March 1992 for this service. There are six mobile libraries-five for general library service and one for the visually handicapped. Each van has the capacity to hold 3,000 - 4,000 books. Members are free to choose their books. The service for the visually handicapped serves 16 institutions for the blind in Delhi. The braille mobile van served 539 members by circulating 22,834 books during 1991-1992. Though costly, the Mobile Library Service is the most effective instrument in reaching out to provide library services to patrons residing in remote areas of the Delhi metropolitan area.