The CSMVS Research Library is a primary source of information for curators, conservators, archaeologists, historians, artists, heritage conservationists and students.

One of the oldest reference libraries in the country, scholars, post-graduate and research students visit the library regularly for multiple reasons including for reference work, writing their thesis and for access to research articles.

The Research Library was refurbished in 2013 with the help of funds the Kala Ghoda Association. The Research Library is currently engaged in digitisation of its collection.

The Collection

The library has a rich collection of over 30,000 books, periodicals and journals, dictionaries, directories, encyclopaedias, atlases, gazetteers, reports of the Archaeological Survey of India, and reports on Indian Epigraphy. The books are mainly on ancient Indian history and culture, archaeology, art, architecture, numismatics, mythology, religion, anthropology, natural history, museology, conservation, history and civilisation, geography, Sanskrit literature, among other themes. The library also has a vast collection of catalogues of Museum and Art Galleries all over the world.

The list of journals include Marg, Artibus Asia, Annals of Bhandarkar, Journal of Bombay Asiatic Society, Islamic Culture, Journal of Indian Museums, Indian Journal of History of Science, Epigraphia Indica, The Indian Antiquary, Rooplekha, Rupam, National Geographic and Oriental Art.

Rare Books

There is a massive collection of 200 rare books and manuscripts and these can be accessed only with special permission.

  • The Hymns of the Sacred Law of the Atharva Veda by Griffith and Ralph
  • Jataka Volumes 4, 5, 6 by V. Fausbøll (1896)
  • Periplus of the Erythrean Sea by W. H. Schoff (1912)
  • The Seven Lamps of Architecture by John Ruskin (1891)
  • The Ain-I-Akbari, Volumes I & II by Abul Allami
  • Bombay Western Volumes I & II by James Douglas (1893)
  • Life And Teaching of john Ruskin by Mather J Marshall (1883)
  • The Sixth Great Oriental Monarchy by Rawlinson George (1873)
  • History of the Early Kings of Persia by David Shea (1832)
  • Ancient and Medieval India Volumes I & II by Mrs. Manning (1869)
  • India in Greece by E. Pococke (1852)
  • Essays On Indian Antiquities by Edwards Thomas, (1858)
  • Life Of Michel Angelo Volumes I & II by Herman Grimm (1877)
  • Artists and Arabs by Henry Blackburn (1878)
  • Wonders of Flora by John B. Seely (1824)
  • Selected Views in Mysore by Home (1794)

Rules and Regulations

Working Hours

  • Library will remain open from 10.00 am to 3.00pm.
  • Library shall remain closed on Sundays & holidays.

Admission to the Library

  • Graduate and Postgraduate students, Research Scholars and persons pursuing serious study are allowed to use the library.
  • Readers are required to deposit their personal belongings like bags and others at the counter, so long as they are present in the library. It is not advisable to keep valuable articles like cameras and laptops at the counter. The library staff will not be responsible for their safety.
  • Attendance register is maintained for keeping record of individuals. Readers have to write their names, in and out time and sign the same.

General Rules

  • Readers are requested to maintain complete silence while in the library. Any disturbance to other members shall be viewed as a violation of the discipline code of the library.
  • This is only a reference library and the books are not issued out of the library.
  • The library is a close access institution and members are not allowed to browse through the books. Readers are requested to consult the catalogue for the same.
  • The members are required to fill up the requisition slip for each book and submit the same to the library staff when utilising a resource from its collections.
  • Two books will be given for reference at a time.
  • Readers can approach the librarian for any specific information.
  • Members are requested to handle the library books with care.

Photocopying

  • Photocopying facilities provided in the library are only for academic purposes.The charges for the service are Rs.2/- per text-forward page and Rs.3/- per illustrated page/plate. For Staff & Museology students the prices for the same are Rs.1/- and Rs.1.50/- respectively.
  • Members desiring to Photocopy a page will have to fill up a form provided in the library. Only a few pages or chapters will be permitted to be photocopied. The photocopying of the entire book is not allowed as it violates Copyright Act/Rules.
  • Photocopying will depend on the physical condition of the book. Rare, valuable and oversized books cannot be photocopied.
  • The Librarian reserves the right to refuse permission for photocopying any book from the library.
  • Before leaving the library, the students have to return the books and pay for the photocopied pages. A register is maintained for the purpose of recording any and all transactions in the Library. The reader is required to put his signature on the form as well as in the register.

Internet access is allowed only for academic or research purposes with the prior permission of the librarian. Personal use is strictly prohibited.

Guidelines for Students

College students are also allowed this facility for preparing projects on the subjects of art history and ancient Indian culture. Architecture students wanting to study the Museum are allowed to access the museum building plans and books related to museum architecture, planning and management

Students desiring to access the Library resources will have to produce their identity card and letter of recommendation from their institutes.

They are given a library admission form to fill up, after their credentials are ascertained.

Media coverage on the CSMVS Research Library:
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/room-to-read-even-in-the-internet-age-good-research-needs-a-good-library