Paper short abstract:

This paper explores how libraries in Delhi evolve as spaces mediating between state authority and community agency in a rapidly changing city.

Paper long abstract:

The libraries of Delhi have long reflected the city’s diverse socio-cultural and political fabric, evolving to meet the shifting demands of its populace. From historic repositories like the Shah Waliullah Library to contemporary community-driven spaces such as the Community Library Project, these libraries cater to an array of users: migrant students, activists during civil crises, and underserved communities lacking access to formal institutions. This paper examines the transformation of Delhi’s libraries in response to the city’s growing needs, highlighting their role in shaping and being shaped by urban change, governmentality, and the pressures of a developing metropolis.

Through ethnographic research and archival inquiry, I explore how libraries adapt their forms and functions—becoming pragmatic study hubs for competitive exam preparation, communal spaces fostering literacy, or even sites of resistance, as seen in the makeshift libraries during protests. These transformations illustrate how libraries mediate between state power and community agency, navigating increased governmental regulation, urban migration, and social disparities.

In a rapidly digitizing world, libraries in Delhi negotiate between their historical legacy and the demands of accessibility and modernization. This paper argues that these evolving spaces are not merely neutral repositories but are embedded with political, cultural, and social significance. By analyzing Delhi’s libraries within the framework of urban development and governmentality, this study contributes to broader conversations on how libraries in developing cities can preserve cultural heritage while serving as dynamic agents of transformation.