Central Library, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
The IIT Delhi Library System encompasses a Central Library and 36 departmental unit libraries, collectively serving over 13,000 registered users, including students, faculty, staff, and alums. The Central Library features advanced RFID, AI, and ICT-enabled infrastructure, and operates on Koha, an open-source library management system. The library maintains extensive collections across STEM disciplines, biotechnology, computer science, humanities, social sciences, and management. The library provides comprehensive services, including circulation, document delivery, inter-library loans, institutional repository, discovery services, research support, and remote access to the electronic resources through VPN and Shibboleth-based systems, making resources globally accessible to the institution's Fraternity.
Beyond traditional library functions, the Central Library has served as a National Resource Centre for Library and Information Sciences under the Ministry of Education. The Library has coordinated ARPIT MOOCs on the SWAYAM platform and is conducting a successful 12-week NPTEL course on "Science Communication: Research Productivity and Data Analytics using Open-Source Software."
In collaboration with University College London and Scientific Knowledge Services Germany, it offers the certificate course "Focus on Open Science Delhi - Creating a Research Culture for the 21st Century." The library previously served as the headquarters of the INDEST-AICTE Consortium, a pioneering library consortium initiative in India. Established in August 1961, the Central Library now occupies about 55,000 square feet across three centrally air-conditioned floors.
Memberships
All students, faculty, and staff of the Institute are entitled to use the library facilities. Similarly, industrial establishments can avail of library services by taking a corporate membership. Retired teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as alums of the Institute, can also avail themselves of the library facilities. Membership Category and Loan Privileges are given below:
Library Hours
The Central Library remains open throughout the year except for six holidays, namely: Diwali, Dussehra, Holi, Independence Day, Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday and Republic Day.
Timings:
• Book Stack Area: All Working/Weekdays/Saturday/Sunday/Public Holidays (9 AM to 9 PM).• Reading Area: All Working/Weekdays/Saturday/Sunday/Public Holidays (8 AM to 3 AM), 24x7 during exams.
Library Collection
Central Library has over 1,95,584 printed books (as of December 2025) covering various subjects including, physical sciences, engineering, technology, biotechnology, computer and information technology, humanities, social sciences, management, and more. The Library features a video viewing facility, and a sizable collection of video lectures is available in its Computer Applications Division/Lab on the Ground floor. In addition to its online resources, it maintains a separate reference collection comprising encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, and bibliographies. It has built a good collection of books in Hindi, including those on various subjects taught and researched at the Institute, as well as general reading books.
The Library has a book bank collection that holds multiple copies of selected textbooks, facilitating students' borrowing of up to six books, free for the entire semester. It is a valuable service that supports students in their academic pursuits and helps to reduce the financial burden of purchasing textbooks. For Details visit: https://library.iitd.ac.in/library-collection
E-Resources and Databases
IIT Delhi has access to over 71,000 full-text electronic journals, 9,300 eBooks, and 2,900 archives. Subscriptions are obtained either directly from publishers or exclusive distributors, or through One Nation One Subscription (ONOS). The Library also subscribes to a comprehensive set of ISO, IEC, and ASTM standards, as well as educational software such as Grammarly, QuillBot, EndNote 21, and ChemDraw. The E-Resources subscribed by the Central Library/IIT Delhi can be accessed anywhere on the campus if one is using the IIT Delhi Internet/IP range. The same is also accessible through Remote Login from outside the campus to the users. A detailed list of E-Resources is available at: https://library.iitd.ac.in/ERD
Facilities and Services
Central Library has been using RFID technology since 2010, facilitating the users: self-check-out, self-check-in (Book Drop), theft control, finding misplaced reading material, sorting, inventory accuracy, stock verification procedures, security control, video surveillance, people counter, etc. The Central Library also features a well-equipped computer lab facility with an internet connection, allowing users to access electronic resources and conduct their study, research, and academic work. The lab is also being used to host training and workshops, besides giving access to large data sets.
The Library has implemented Koha, an Open Source LMS, and has customised the user-centric Online Public Access Catalogue, through which you can check the availability of the printed books and your records like Issue/Returns/Overdue Books/Fines, etc. For every transaction, an automatic email is sent to the registered email to avoid misuse of the library card. The Web OPAC (Book Search) is accessible at: https://libcat.iitd.ac.in. The Library also arranges for the Loan of Printed Books or Journal Articles from other libraries that are not available in IIT Delhi through an Inter-Library Loan. Requests for the same may be sent through email or through the Library Circulation Counter/DELNET.
Institutional Repository
The Institutional Repository of IIT Delhi serves as a centralised platform for preserving, disseminating, and showcasing the scholarly output and intellectual creations of our institution. Currently, it provides access to the Extended Abstracts of PhD theses submitted by the IIT Delhi research scholars and other documents. The institutional repository has been built using DSpace 8 Digital Repository software, available at http://ir.iitd.ac.in. The full text of the theses is accessible via the Shodhganga national repository, a reservoir of Indian theses, at: https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/jspui/handle/10603/421373.
IITD Faculty Profiling System
The Central Library, in collaboration with the MoE project IRINS, has developed and launched a customised profiling system of IIT Delhi through which customised data of the institute and its faculty is available in the most presentable form at https://iitd.irins.org. It facilitates faculty members in collecting, curating, and showcasing scholarly communication activities, providing an opportunity to create a scholarly network. It has been integrated with Academic identities such as ORCiD ID, Scopus ID, Google Scholar ID, and CrossRef, among others.
Chatbot
The Central Library has developed a Chatbot named "BibDAIL+", designed to assist library users with basic service queries. It can be accessed through the library's web OPAC page. The chatbot engages users in real-time conversations, addressing queries related to library hours, book recommendations, and general information. It is equipped to handle basic inquiries, offering a convenient and instant support channel. Visit to access: https://libcat.iitd.ac.in
News Clipping Service
The Central Library has been compiling News Clips on IIT Delhi-related aspects from various e-sources/Google alerts, etc. and circulates them among the IIT Delhi user community monthly. The archives are available from 2010 onwards. Website link: https://library.iitd.ac.in/news-clipping-services
Book Recommendation System
The Central Library has a flexible book recommendation system in offline and online formats. If you are interested in recommending a book for the Library, whether you are a faculty member, staff member, or student, you may do so by filling out the recommendation form available on the website https://library.iitd.ac.in/book-recommendation. The Central Library has developed an Online Book Recommendation System using Koha as well (Open Source LMS), apart from the Institute ERP, to facilitate faculty members. The faculty members can recommend the book(s) for the Central Library and the departmental libraries concerned through the online system. To access the Koha-based Online Book Recommendation System, click here, or https://library.iitd.ac.in/obrs, & Use your Kerberos ID and Password to log in.
Pathfinder (Subject Bibliographies)
A pathfinder is a bibliography on the author, subject, and known personality, to promote usage and to create awareness among the user community. It lists the various resources available in the Central Library and helps library users with teaching, learning, and research. Currently, around 50 bibliographies are available in the Central Library, which can be accessed at: https://library.iitd.ac.in/Pathfinder
IIT Delhi Faculty & Staff Authored Books
The Central Library is continually developing a separate collection of books authored by IIT Delhi faculty and staff members (Edited books are excluded). It has created a virtual corner for such books on the library website (link: https://library.iitd.ac.in/iitdauthors), and a physical gallery has been created on the first floor of the Central Library (near the circulation desk).
Take a Book / Give a Book Program
The Central Library offers a platform, known as Take a Book / Give a Book, to promote reading among institute users and enable the reuse of books, including textbooks. We invite users who would like to share their personal copies of books after finishing reading may leave their books on the dedicated Bookshelf located on the first floor of the Central Library (near the entrance gate). Similarly, feel free to take a Book left by another user. For more information, visit: https://library.iitd.ac.in/TakeaBook-GiveaBook
Research Support Services and Outreach Programs
The Research Support Services and Outreach Program (RSS&OP) section of the Central Library is dedicated to supporting the academic community: students, faculty, and researchers by making research and learning easier and more impactful. Using Research Information Management (RIM) and a range of library resources, services, and tools, we help at every stage of your academic journey, from discovering new ideas and designing research to creating and sharing your work. The Central Library regularly organises Author and Publishing Workshops and helps users get the most out of academic writing and research tools like Grammarly, QuillBot, EndNote 21, online databases, and eBooks. The calendar is available on the library's website to register for a desired event/s. For More visit: https://library.iitd.ac.in/rss-and-outreach-program
Library App
The Library Mobile App is very useful and can be installed on Android devices from: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iitd.cl
QR Code-Based Systems
The Central Library continuously strives to enhance ease of access for its users. Most library services are now available through QR codes, enabling quick and convenient access. Users can also share their feedback instantly by scanning the relevant QR code. To access library services using QR codes, kindly scan below:
Library Literary and Cultural Club
The Library Literary and Cultural Club brings together a vibrant community of readers and creative minds. The Literary Club offers a welcoming space for book lovers to discover new authors, share insights, and engage in enriching discussions. Complementing this, the Cultural Club organises diverse cultural engagements and academic tours, etc.
Best Library User Awards
The Central Library proposes to institute the Best Library User Awards to encourage students to make effective use of library resources, services, and facilities. The awards will be conferred annually on Annual Library Day & the CLAN Meet in May, and may include a certificate, a book/memento, and a cash prize of ₹5,000 each. One award each is proposed to be given to a PhD, Master's, and Bachelor's students, based on measurable and qualitative criteria such as library visits, resource usage, contribution to library development, participation in outreach activities, timely return of books, and discipline. Points accrued during the calendar year will determine selection, and the criteria will be reviewed for subsequent years.
Links to Library Videos:
Library Tour - https://youtu.be/bq7McjKg3Jw?si=4YznlID5jGPfyWWY
IIT Delhi Library on National Television - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCSU1DOYqbQ
Orientation Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqTnzmJvPOI&t=1s
Overall, the Central Library at IIT Delhi plays a crucial role in supporting the Institute's teaching, research, and innovation, and in achieving VISSION, MISSION, and VALUES by providing high-quality scholarly information and services.
For further information about the Central Library and its Services, you may visit: https://library.iitd.ac.in
Or download the Library Handbook 2025 https://library.iitd.ac.in/pdf/LibraryHandBook2025.pdf