Allama Iqbal Library is the oldest, largest, and richest university library in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It was established in 1948 with the inception of the University of Jammu and Kashmir to cater to the academic and research needs of scholars, students and teachers. With the split of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir University in 1969 into the University of Jammu and the University of Kashmir, these universities shared the library collection. In 1975, the Central Library of the University of Kashmir was shifted to its present multistoried building. In 1984, it was renamed IQBAL LIBRARY and ALLAMA IQBAL LIBRARY in July 2002. Allama Iqbal Library System is a network of Central Library and 57 Departmental and Campus libraries.

Allama Iqbal Library houses over 8,00,000 books, 20,000 e-books, and 58,000 back volumes. It also houses e-books, audiobooks, braille books, rare books, manuscripts, theses, dissertations, and newspaper archives. It has contributed its resources to various national and international information treasures like the UNESCO World Digital Library, National Digital Library of India, National Mission for Manuscripts and Shodhganga from its vast collection.

Besides print collection, Allama Iqbal Library has access to 13000+ electronic journals available through the "One Nation One Subscription" initiative of the Government of India. Allama Iqbal Library subscribes to 1,245 e-journals, 16 databases, three digital libraries, and around 150 periodicals annually to serve more than 10000 users- students, scholars, faculty members and a few officials.

Allama Iqbal Library uses VIRTUA-integrated library management software for automation. Virtua is the product of innovative, part of Clarivate. It is one of the best, integrated library management software used by 2100 affluent libraries across 44 countries. The library has many modern hardware and software facilities like Kiosks, self-check-in check-out systems, internet browsing centres, wi-fi, Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), Remote Access, Mobile Apps, etc. Besides it has also installed Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance systems for the safety and security of library materials, officials, and users' belongings.

Allama Iqbal Library has all the sections and facilities a university library must have. However, it distinguishes itself by providing additional facilities like 24x7 Reading Hall, Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Section, Section for Visually Impaired Patrons, International Students Cell, Book Bank, Alumni Corner, Career Corner, Women’s Corner, Anti-Plagiarism Cell, Beyond Books: Mental Fitness and Wellness Division, Ibn Khaldun Auditorium/Theatre, etc. The library has 24/7 Library Reading Hall that can accommodate 380 users and remains open around the clock throughout the year. The ‘Career Corner’ on the library's First floor houses the latest material for students preparing for Competitive tests and Civil Service examinations. The Career Corner has individual Study Carrels for students and Research Scholars. 

Allama Iqbal Library provides conventional services like Research Support Services, Publication Support Services, Career Support Services, Consultancy Services, etc., to support teaching, learning, research and extension activities of the University of Kashmir. Besides, Allama Iqbal Library has introduced a few innovative and unique services for its users, such as Books on Call, Books on Wheels, Reserve My Book, Recommend Your Book and Intra Library Loan, and Stay Free Reading Service. Books on Call is a service for Persons with Disabilities and pregnant women. They don't have to come to the library to issue or return books; they have to call us, and we deliver books to their departments, offices, hostels or residences within the university's jurisdiction. In the Stay Free Reading service, AIL provides safety pads to female users during periods in the library.

Allama Iqbal Library regularly conducts information literacy programs like webinars and workshops to inform its users of library collection, facilities and services. Besides, it organizes many events, like workshops, training programs, conferences, and seminars, every year for LIS professionals to impart skills and use state-of-the-art technologies.

Allama Iqbal Library received its first ISO certification in 2010 for a Quality Management System based on the quality of resources and services it provides. Since then, it has been continuously renewed, most recently on March 20, 2024, for 3 years.

 

 

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BOOKS	801069 approx.
JOURNALS (Backvolumes)	58225(approx.)
MANUSCRIPTS	432
RARE BOOKS	7204
THESIS & DISSERTATIONS	2626
MICROFILMS Click Here	215
DIGITIZED BOOKS	17500(approx.)
MICROFICHE	15
Audio Books	329
Braille/Talking Book Collection	545