FAQs (American Center Library)

IHub is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. (Not open on Saturdays).
The iHub is closed on Indian and American Holidays. Please see the Holiday list.

The board number is 91-11-23472000. Alternatively you may call directly +91-11 23472115 or 23472116;

The American Library is located at 24, Kasturba Gandhi Marg (next to the Hindustan Times Building), New Delhi 110001. The nearest metro station is the Barakhamba Metro Station.

The library is open to general public during its open hours. No prior appointment is required to visit the library. All visitors are requested to conform to security regulations and produce a valid photo Identification (ID) at the entrance. Acceptable photo IDs are: passport, driver’s license, voter ID card, Permanent Account Number (PAN Card), government/ employer issued ID, or college/university issued ID. The American Center will only accept original IDs and not photocopies.

The library membership is open to anyone 16 years of age or older who is a resident of North India.

You are welcome to visit the library even if you are not a member. However, if you want to come to the library regularly they you will have to become member of the library. You will need to bring an identity card when you visit us. If you are not An Indian citizen, you will have to bring your passport for identification.

To becoming a member you need to fill up an online application form and pay the enrollment processing fee. You also need to provide current residence address proof in the form of driving license, passport, identity card or voter identity card, passport or PAN Card.

Right now, regret, there is no facility to pay the fees online, however, we are working on it.

The membership processing fee is Rs.400/- for one year and Rs.700/- for two years. The Family Membership fee is Rs. 500/- and Rs. 1000/- for two years. The Institutional membership fee is 4000/- for one year and 7000/- for two years.

The library accepts membership processing fee in cash or by bank draft drawn in favor of the American Embassy, New Delhi. This fee can also be paid by credit/debit card at the American Library.

As an Individual member you can borrow six books for four weeks, two periodicals for four weeks, two DVDs / two CDs for four weeks. On Family membership you can borrow ten books, four periodicals for four weeks, four DVDs/ CDs for four weeks.

If you forget to bring your card, you can check out materials by presenting a picture ID. To speed checkout, we strongly suggest that you bring your library card with you.

Report your lost or stolen library card to the Library as soon as possible to prevent others from charging materials to your account. You are responsible for all items charged to your card until its loss is reported. Staff can issue a new replacement card the next time you visit the library. Duplicate card processing fee is Rs.50/-.

You may renew your materials online through the “My Library Account” button in the Library Catalog  (https://americanspacesindia.on.worldcat.org/v2) Books charged on your account will be renewed for two weeks from the current due date, or, in the case of an overdue item, two weeks from the date you submit your request. Please make a note of the new due date. Books not in demand may be renewed up to two times. A book which has reservations on it will not be renewed. DVD/Periodicals and books on inter library loan are not renewed. 

You may also renew items by calling us at 23472115 or sending us an e-mail at iHub2@state.gov.

The overdue fine is one rupee per item per day. The overdue fine for DVDs is Rs.5- per day per day.

If library material is lost, replacement cost of the lost item will have to be paid by the member. The library cannot accept replacement items in lieu of lost items.

Items returned with damage that warrants withdrawal from the collection will be treated as lost.

You can check the library catalog, login your library account online at  (https://americanspacesindia.on.worldcat.org/v2)  You can renew your books and reserve titles online.  eLibraryUSA can now be accessed in the Library only. 

Other than renewing and reserving library material, you can create My List of library material and save it for future use.

You can use our New Delhi Library card for reading books in the library and using the internet, if you are visiting for a short duration. However, if you plan to stay longer, please request your home library to transfer your membership to the library you plan to shift.

No, you cannot use our library card in other American libraries located outside India.

The books are shelved according to Dewey Decimal System. You can check the location of the books by the decimal numbers on the spine of the books. If you have trouble finding the books you want, ask a reference librarian for help.

We do not sell books. Library provides a listing of leading book dealers in Delhi, who are known to procure U.S. publications. Ask at the Reference Desk for possible assistance. However, if you want to have a particular book added to the library collection, you can give your suggestion either by email or at the reference desk.

You are welcome to visit us and access high speed internet access at workstations or use Wi-Fi, however access to electronic services is restricted to registered members only.

Restriction on Personal Electronics in American Centers

Effective May 18, 2017, visitors may not bring laptop computers or tablets into the American Centers in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. This prohibition applies to all models of laptops and tablets, including Netbooks, Chromebooks, iPads, Kindles, and MacBooks. None of the American Centers will be able to store visitors’ devices.

Note this restriction in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata only applies to computers and tablets; cellular phones and smart phones are permitted.

The American Center in Chennai already has restrictions in place that prohibit all forms of electronic devices, including phones. The policy in Chennai has not changed.

The Reference Desk acts as the point of contact for enquiries. Ask the Reference Librarian for assistance in locating and searching the library material. You may also fill in our online Reference Request Form or call us at 91-11-23472115, 23472116 or email iHub2@state.gov

#EducationUSA conducts sessions on U.S. Higher Education at the American Center New Delhi twice in a month on  Wednesdays at 4 pm. These sessions are free and open to all! You just have to show up with a photo ID to enter.  Just one of the ways we can help you! See you on our American Center Wednesdays!   

Yes, the Library has staff who can introduce you to the most relevant print and electronic resources, for your subject. Just ask at the Reference Service Desk if you would like this type of individual help and staff there will refer you on to appropriate resources.

You can access eLibraryUSA only in the Library.

The American Library does not handle visa enquiries. For information please email support-india@ustraveldocs.com or contact the Visa information call center.