FAQ
  1. What are the opening hours of the libraries?
  2. What are the telephone numbers for contacting the Library?
  3. How do I join the Library?
  4. What should I do if I've lost my Library card?
  5. How do I find material in the Library?
  6. What should I do if I can't find a book?
  7. What is the Short Loan Collection?
  8. How many items can I borrow?
  9. How long can I borrow for?
  10. How do I renew an item?
  11. How do I reserve an item?
  12. Where do I ask if I have a question?
  13. How do I find information on a subject?
  14. Can someone show me how to search a topic?
  15. What electronic resources are available to me?
  16. Do I need a password to use electronic resources?
  17. Do I need a password for off-campus access?
  18. Are there computers I can use in the Library?
  19. Where can I print out my work?
  20. What photocopying facilities are available?
  21. Can I obtain items that are not held by the Library?
  22. Can I get access to other libraries?
  23. Where can I get more information?
  24. Who can help in Professor P.C. Mahalanobis Memorial Museum & Archives?

Q1: What are the opening hours of the libraries?
Library opening hours, and details of any changes, are available here: Q2: What are the telephone numbers for contacting the Library?
Important contact numbers are given below:
Q: How do I join the Library?
All you need to do is to take proof of your identity, and current residential address to the Assistant Librarian (Circulation & Stack Maintenance). Proof of identity can be any current official document that gives your name, profession, Course Name & Academic Session (if applicable) and address of the Institute, and Proof of current residential address may be Voter Id Card, current electricity bill, driver's licence, recent bank statement, pension book etc.To join Central Library you will need to apply for one of the membership categories:
Please consult Assistant Librarian (Circulation & Stack Maintenance Unit) at 2575- 2109 for more information.

Q: What should I do if I've lost my Library card?
You should immediately inform the Assistant Librarian (Circulation & Stock Maintenance Unit) about the incident either in writing &/or by email. Bring the copy of the FIR and your photo (stamp sized) for duplicate card.

Q: How do I find material in the Library?
 Use the Library catalogues. Check WEBOPAC, the online catalogue, first. It is accessible from both on and off-campus. A Periodicals search in WEBOPAC will tell you which print or electronic journals are held by the Library.

Q: What should I do if I can't find a book?
 WEBOPAC, the online catalogue, will tell you if the item has been borrowed. If it's not on loan and not where it should be on the shelves, it might be in the re-shelving section or being consulted. If you still can't find it, ask at the Service Desk. Do remember to check the following :
Q: What is the Short Loan Collection?
A collection of mainly undergraduate texts likely to be in heavy demand. Borrowing periods are restricted to a maximum of 3 to 7 days.

Q: How many items can I borrow?
It depends on the Category of your membershp.

Q: How long can I borrow for?
Subject to recall by another reader, you may borrow for 30 days. However, some high demand documents may be issued for shorter period. If an item is recalled from you, by e-mail notice, the minimum length of time you will have it for, is one week.

Q: How do I renew an item?
You have to place your library card along with the document at the appropriate Circulation Desk. Physical presence is essential.

Q: How do I reserve an item?
If you see, from WEBOPAC, that an item is on loan, you can personally request the staff at the Issue Counter to reserve the title for you. At present, you cannot recall the book yourself. The person who has borrowed it will be sent an e-mail notice requesting its return, and you will be e-mailed when the item is available for collection. Every reader will have an item for at least one week, unless it is recalled urgently.

Q: Where do I ask if I have a question?
The Service Desk acts as the first point of contact for enquiries. Staff there will arrange appropriate assistance for you, referring enquiries on to specialist staff or Library departments, if necessary.

Q: How do I find information on a subject?
If you're researching a topic and trying to find relevant books/articles, you will need more detailed information than a FAQ can provide. If you ask at the Service Desk, staff there will refer you on to appropriate staff.

Q: Can someone show me how to search a topic?
Yes, the Library has staff who can introduce you to the most relevant print and electronic resources, for your subject. Just ask at the Service Desk if you would like this type of individual help and staff there will refer you on to an appropriate person.

Q: What electronic resources are available to me?
The Library subscribes to over 500+ online resources and 700+ ebooks help you with your research. They cover most subjects taught at the Institute and vary from bibliographic databases (which give details of published articles, books, etc), to full-text, citation, image, mapping, reference, open access, census, theses and alerting databases. Please ask for individual assistance with these resources, if you need it.
Please note due to licence restrictions, only full members of the Institute eligible to use the Library's online resources.

Q: Do I need a password to use electronic resources?
The Library's e-resources can be accessed without a username and password, in most cases, from any computer on the Institute network, including those in Residences/Hostels/Guesthouse. However, a few databases require an username and password for on-campus access, please contact Assistant Librarian (Periodicals) for the said purpose.
All e-journals to which we are entitled to access are also freely accessible from on-campus. In general, if you are asked for a username and password for access to an e-journal, it will be because we are not entitled to access it.

Q: Do I need a password for off-campus access?
Presently, it is NOT available.

Q: Are there computers I can use in the Library?
There is a cluster of 10-12 PC/Thin Clients in the Main Library which library users are welcome to use for searching WEB-OPAC, library catalogues, online databases, Institutional Archives and the CD-ROM databases. However, using these PC/Thin Client for any other purposes (e-mail, word-processing, spreadsheets, etc.) is prohibitated. They are not bookable, but waiting times, if any, are generally short.

Q: Where can I print out my work?
The PC cluster in the Main Library is networked to laser printers in the same area. If you have any questions about the PCs or printers, ask the concerned Assistant Librarian.

Q: What photocopying facilities are available?
The main bank of photocopiers is at the Ground Floor of the Main Library. There is also a colour photocopier in this area. A photocopier is also available in the 2nd Floor of the Library. Photocopy Coupons can be bought from the ISI Cash Counter on any weekdays before 14:00 hours.

Q: Can I obtain items that are not held by the Library?
Yes, we can obtain material not held by this Library for you, through the Interlibrary Loan/ Document Delivery service. Full information about how to use this service is given on the web pages. For details, please contact Assistant Librarian (Circulation & Stack Maintenance Unit) at 91-33-2575-2109.

Q: Can I get access to other libraries?
All internal members of this Institute enjoy borrowing privileges with the British Council Library and American Center Library. Knowledge Centres gives you access to the online catalogues of other academic, national and public libraries. Please contact Assistant Librarian (Circulation & Stack Maintenance Unit) at 91-33-2575-2109.
Q: Where can I get more information?

The Library web pages contain detailed information about Library services and facilities. However, if you need additional information or would like to talk to someone directly, you are most welcome to contact a relevant member of Library staff, or the Library Office (91-33-2575-2100; email), or to use this form. We will do our very best to help you.

Q: Who can help in Professor P.C. Mahalanobis Memorial Museum & Archives?
Please contact Ms. Krishna Bhattacharya 2575-4006.