COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH COLLECTION
NASSDOC houses a meticulously curated collection of over 1,27,000 research documents spanning diverse disciplines in the social sciences, providing scholars with access to both historical and contemporary resources. The holdings include reference books, bibliographies, encyclopaedias, PhD theses, research project reports, books on research methodology, and surveys covering major social science disciplines. The collection is further enriched with bound volumes of Indian and foreign journals, current periodicals, ICSSR publications, abstracting and indexing journals, newsletters, annual reports, government reports, serials, and institutional publications. A special section of grey literature comprising working, occasional, and discussion papers adds further depth to the resources.
In addition, a specialized Indian Knowledge System collection supports scholarship in philosophy, medicine, mathematics, history, and related fields, while rare archival materials provide valuable resources for interdisciplinary and historical research. NASSDOC also offers extensive e-resources, including more than 1.59 lakh e-books, around 66,000 e-journals, 28.9 million journal articles, 52,800 conference proceedings, and numerous datasets, amounting to over 1.25 crore curated records across monographs, reports, and research papers. Digitization of theses and reports, along with archival preservation through microfilming, ensures long-term access to these materials. By continually augmenting its holdings and integrating global databases, NASSDOC plays a vital role in enriching and sustaining social science research in India.
LIBRARY MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES & FORM
Library membership at ICSSR-NASSDOC is open to the following categories of readers: it can be obtained by filling the membership form available at the library counter or online through the ICSSR website (https://icssr.org/library-membership-form-guidelines). Researchers seeking an attendance certificate are required to sign the register at the Reference Desk while entering and leaving the Reading Room each day.
Official Members - These include ICSSR Council Members/ senior officials of the ICSSR secretariat and regular professional staff of the ICSSR (i.e. Research Assistants/Documentation Assistants and above). They are entitled to borrow books from the library for 15 days.
Consulting Members - Consultation facility is extended to academicians, research scholars, students, ICSSR Beneficiaries and members of general public that may include retired persons and other categories of readers. Consultation membership fee is Rs. 1200 per annum (minimum Rs. 200 for one month).
Borrowing Members - Borrowing facility is extended to social scientists, academicians, students and general readers who are registered as members of the library. Books are issued against a security deposit of Rs.1000/- per book. A maximum of two books can be issued to individual members at a time.
Institutional Members - This category of membership is available exclusively to institutions upon payment of ₹10,000 per year. Institutional members are entitled to borrow up to five (5) books at a time for a period of one month. However, remote login access to the subscribed e-resources is not available under this membership.
Guest Members - There is no fee for guest readers who want to consult the library for a day or two. They are issued a guest card for the day.
WebOPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue)
The NASSDOC Library provides 24x7 access to its Web OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue), enabling users to search and locate books, journals, reports, and other reference materials available in the collection. The OPAC can be accessed through dedicated terminals installed in the Reading Hall, as well as remotely via the library website. It offers multiple search options—such as by author, title, subject, or keyword—and provides complete bibliographic details, including the call number, to help users identify relevant resources quickly and efficiently. To further support users, library staff are available to assist in retrieving the required materials and ensuring proper shelving after use. This service ensures transparency, saves time, and provides a smooth and reliable research experience.
Reference Assistance
The NASSDOC Library provides comprehensive reference assistance to support researchers, scholars, and students in their academic work. Professional staff members are available during library hours to guide users in locating and effectively using books, journals, reports, and other reference materials. Assistance is also provided in searching the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) and in accessing bibliographies, indexes, statistical sources, and electronic databases. Users may seek help in refining their research queries, obtaining subject-specific information, and making the best use of both print and digital resources. In addition, library staff also address general user queries related to facilities—such as seating arrangements, washrooms, or other aspects of the library’s physical space—ensuring a smooth and comfortable experience for all visitors. Reference services are available to all members and registered users, offering timely and reliable support for research and learning needs.
Reading Hall
The NASSDOC Library provides a spacious, air-conditioned Reading Hall that has been serving researchers in a conducive environment since 1970. It remains open from Monday to Saturday, between 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and is closed on Sundays, Gazetted, and National holidays. The hall is equipped with individual study cubes, large common tables for group or individual use, proper lighting, and a pleasant ambience to ensure a comfortable study atmosphere. Dedicated terminals are available for OPAC searches, along with computer workstations for academic use. Members and registered visitors can consult books, journals, reports, and other reference materials within the hall, while personal laptops are permitted with Wi-Fi access for academic purposes. Additional amenities include well-maintained washrooms and drinking water facilities, and entry is allowed only on presentation of a valid membership or guest pass at the library gate.
