St Aloysius (Deemed To Be University)

To provide seamless access to information in print as well as digital formats to users across disciplines/divisions in the digital environment.

To foster a diversified and comprehensive learning society, the library acquires and disseminates information to users for teaching and research. It renders quality resources and innovative services to facilitate teaching, learning and research.

Established in 1880 alongside the founding of St Aloysius College, the St Aloysius Library has evolved into one of the most distinguished academic libraries in the region. Initially housed in a hall within the main college building constructed during the mid-1880s, the library expanded steadily in response to the institution’s growing academic needs. In 1928, a two-storeyed extension was added to accommodate its increasing collection and readership. A landmark phase in its development came during the college centenary celebrations of 1979–1980, when the library was shifted to the newly built Centenary Building. Equipped with modern facilities across three spacious floors and seating capacity for nearly 250 users, the new premises significantly enhanced its role as a centre for learning and research.

Over its remarkable 145-year journey, the library has built an extensive collection of more than 1,85,000 volumes, including a rare and invaluable archive of nearly 25,000 books comprising historical works, regional literature, and unique manuscripts. Among its treasured possessions is the rare 1618 edition of the Christa Purana, a work of immense literary and historical significance. The library’s scholarly resources were further enriched in 2013 through the generous contribution of the personal collection of George Fernandes, distinguished alumnus and former Defence Minister of India, particularly strengthening its holdings in the social sciences. Today, the library continues to serve as a vibrant academic and cultural hub, extending its resources beyond students and faculty to researchers, scholars, and writers from across the region.

St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) operates several libraries to cater to the diverse academic and research needs of its students, faculty, and scholars, among which the University Library serves as the largest and most comprehensive knowledge centre on campus. The library houses an extensive collection of more than 1,00,000 print volumes, complemented by a rich repository of journals, rare manuscripts, reference materials, and digital resources spanning a wide range of disciplines.

Designed to support contemporary learning and research practices, the library is fully automated with an Open Access system and functions through the Koha Library Management Software, ensuring efficient cataloguing, circulation, and user services. The integration of RFID technology further strengthens operational efficiency through enhanced security, automated tracking, and accurate inventory management. In addition to its vast print collection, the library provides seamless access to e-books, e-journals, scholarly databases, and online learning platforms, thereby facilitating both conventional and technology-enabled modes of study and research.

With its modern infrastructure, user-centric services, and advanced technological support, the University Library offers a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment that encourages learning, innovation, and scholarly inquiry. As a vital academic resource centre, it continues to play a pivotal role in fostering academic excellence and nurturing the intellectual growth of the university community.

To meet the academic and research needs of postgraduate students and faculty, the Dewang Mehta Library was established on 30 August 2003 as a dedicated postgraduate library facility. Located in a spacious hall within the Maffei Block of St Aloysius Deemed to be University, the library provides an enriching environment for advanced study and scholarly pursuits.