Reference and Reading Room is the Central Unit of the ICSSR library. Library is kept open from 9.30 A.M. to 6 P.M. on all working days (i.e. Monday through Saturday).

It has a rich collection of reference sources, bibliographies, 5,200 doctoral theses, 3,100 research project reports (funded by the ICSSR) and 12,500 books and documents. This includes books on social science research methodology and also subjects like economics, political science, sociology, psychology,  computer and information technology etc. It also has working papers, seminar papers etc. The library also keeps priced and non-priced publications of ICSSR including those, for which, the Council has provided publication grants.

Documents are available for consultation in the library premises only. Borrowing facility is extended to registered members only. Printed publications are available on Inter-Library Loan. The collection is further augmented by about 450 current Indian/ foreign periodicals, including ICSSR journals and other abstracting and indexing journals in social sciences. The library has over 11,000 bound volumes of periodicals, census reports and other government publications. Some of the research project reports and theses are also available on microfilm and microfiche. Following services are provided by the library:

Consultation Facility: It is provided to research scholars visiting NASSDOC for their research work and for writing papers.  They can also access various on-line databases such as Econlit, International Political Science Abstract, Socio file, Psycinfo etc.

 

Reference Service: Reference queries in the field of social sciences are entertained via e-mail, telephone, fax, in person, and through correspondence.

Referral Service: In case of non-availability of material in the library, research scholars are referred to other institutions/ libraries.

 

 

Registered members of the library can borrow books against a security deposit of Rs.500/- per book.  Annual membership fee is Rs.200/-.  Monthly members are required to pay @ Rs.50/- per month.  There is no fee for casual readers.  The library has an automated circulation system based on RFID technology

 

NASSDOC has a good collection of bibliographic data, both in printed as well as in digital format, including Online and CD-ROM databases. The Centre has also created its own databases, both in printed and in electronic format. These databases are useful for scholars for conducting literature search on various topics in social sciences.

NASSDOC, apart from photocopies of documents available in its library, also provides copies of research materials from other libraries and institutions in India and abroad. Orders can be placed by post, telephone, fax or e-mail.