The JMI Zakir Husain Library is the central library of Jamia Millia Islamia, one of India’s premier central universities. Established in 1920 and named after Dr. Zakir Husain — former President of India and a former Vice-Chancellor of JMI — the library remains a key academic resource for students and researchers across the university.
About the JMI Zakir Husain Library
Spread over 1 lakh square feet and housed in an independent four-storey building, the JMI Zakir Husain Library is among the most richly equipped university libraries in the country. It holds a collection of nearly 4 lakh books, along with bound volumes of journals and periodicals, primarily supporting the disciplines of social sciences, humanities, sciences, and Islamic studies.
Reading Halls and Extended Study Hours
One of the most valued features of the JMI Zakir Husain Library is its large reading hall, which offers a seating capacity of over 1,275 students at a time. To support students during peak academic periods, the university has extended the timings of reading halls in both the old and new library buildings, allowing students to study up to 12 midnight. This makes the library a preferred space for students preparing for exams or working on research deadlines that require extended, uninterrupted study time.
Digital Resources at the JMI Zakir Husain Library
Beyond its physical collection, the JMI Zakir Husain Library houses a well-equipped Digital Resource Centre with around 150 computers, giving students access to e-journals and other digitised resources. The library also uses Knimbus, a federated search tool that allows students to search journal articles across multiple databases from a single interface. Additionally, the Learning Centre for Differently Abled provides assistive technology support to visually impaired students, making the library’s resources more accessible to all.
