The Library is said to be the very centre of the academic life of a college. It plays a very important role in the college career of a student. However, it can be of greatest value only if the student knows what the library contains and how to find and make use of the wealth of knowledge found there.Established in 1914, the library of Isabella Thoburn College is presently housed in the Sarah Chakko Memorial Library which was built in 1959 and named after our late Principal Miss. Sarah Chakko. It is an imposing crescent shaped, double storied building with a world of knowledge housed in it, waiting to be explored by the students.There are approximately 57,000 volumes in the college library, which works under the open shelf system. This means that you are able to, at leisure, browse through the collection of books before making a choice of reading material. Departmental libraries are an additional facility for our students. The college also subscribes to a number of journals and magazines for the general library and for different departments.The attractive Browsing Room, known as the Janet Bonarji Library, is on the ground floor of the Library. It houses a few books gifted by Mr. and Mrs. D.N. Bonarji in 1932.
The collection has grown to over 2500 volumes of all classifications. Special among the book collection are those pertaining to collections of paintings and objects of fine art at the famous galleries and museums of the world. The Janet Bonarji Library provides a beautiful and a quiet atmosphere in which a student can enjoy what is of cultural value. Besides books, there are on display, rare objects of art from different countries and periods.The basement of the Janet Bonarji Library houses the Exhibition room for book displays and other library related activities.A Library Orientation Programme is conducted at the beginning of the academic year. During this time the new students are introduced to the resources of the Library with a special emphasis on the use of the Card Catalogue, Reserve shelf, Book Bank, Reference Books and their uses.To promote learning a Trust fund, founded in 1991 in memory of Mrs. Bimla Nigam, an alumna of the College, enables the college to purchase books in certain disciplines each year.Every student enrolled in the College is required to become a member of the college library by filling in a library Membership Card and submitting two recent passport size photographs. Internet services are also being provided in the Library.The Library membership card is non-transferable. At the end of the academic year every student is required to return her Library Card to the library and get a No-dues certificate.
Internet services are also being provided in the Library. There is a separate Computer Gallery on first floor to use the computers and access the digital information. A Library Orientation Programme is conducted at the beginning of the academic year. During this time the new students are introduced to the resources of the Library with a special emphasis on the use of the Card Catalogue, Reserve shelf, Book Bank, Reference Books and their uses. To promote learning a Trust fund, founded in 1991 in memory of Mrs. Bimla Nigam, an alumna of the College, enables the college to purchase books in certain disciplines each year. Every student enrolled in the College is required to become a member of the college library by filling in a library Membership Card and submitting two recent passport size photographs. The Library membership card is non-transferable. At the end of the academic year every student is required to return her Library Card to the library and get a No-dues certificate. SOUL (a library software) is being used to manage the housekeeping operations of library and library has been digitized partially. The library is also a member of INFLIBNET (Information & Library Network) and NDL (National Digital Library). The resources of INFLIBNET and NDL are being accessed by the students and faculty. There is an American Corner (a unique library established by U.S. Embassy) in the Sarah Chakko Memorial Library). The resources of American corner are also being used by the users. This corner (library) is opened for public daily between 04.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m.