Diyal Singh library’s rare books need urgent digitalising

Despite enjoying a lot of funds and working under the Evacuee Property Trust Board (EPTB), Diyal Singh Trust Library (DSTL) has still not started digitalising its collection of rare books, periodicals and manuscripts. However, due to its importance in history and its vast collection of books, the DSTL is tremendously popular among local as well as foreign visitors.

DSTL Director Fakhra Hashmi said the library was not facing any financial problem, adding that they had sent a request to the EPTB regarding digitalisation of books, a process which could only begin after the approval of the authorities.

The DSTL was established in 1908 in pursuance of the will of Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia. It was first set up at Dyal Singh’s residence, but was later shifted to its current location on Nisbat Road. It started off with a thousand books and a grant of Rs 60,000 provided by Sardar Dyal Singh to help meet the financial requirements of the library. The DSTL enjoyed a lot of popularity before partition. However, it suffered a considerable loss owing to riots in Lahore in 1948. Because of this, a lot of its books and property was either lost or damaged. The library remained closed for 12 years owing to the migration of its non-Muslim trustees. However, it was reopened in 1964 under the control of the ETPB. Since then, the library has witnessed several phases of development and renovation. In 1985, under a directive of the president of Pakistan, the DSTL administrative control was transferred to the Punjab education department, but it was again repatriated to the ETPB in1989.

Today when other libraries of the city are suffering from a lack of funds, the DSTL remains well funded by the EPTB, but with other libraries actively digitalising their records, the Diyal Singh library’s collection is still far from being digitalised. Asset: According to a DSTL official, the issue at hand was a major one. “A number of foreign visitors, particularly Sikh delegates from India, visit the DSTL each year and usually raise the issue of digitalisation,” he said, adding that the collection of books was rare and a public asset. “We should start digitalising these rare books as soon as possible.” “There is also a collection of manuscripts and newspapers which need to be preserved, and require the attention of authorities,” he said. The library director told Daily Times that a request in connection with the digitalisation of books had been sent to the EPTB. She said they were aware of the issue’s importance, and would start with the preservation process after a formal approval.

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