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Tribhuvan University Central Library (TUCL) was established along with the University in 1959. It began with a collection of 1200 volumes of books. Now, the collection exceeds 2,90,000 volumes of books. In addition, there are more than 25000 back volumes of periodicals. Over 450 titles of periodicals are received every year on subscription or as gifts. Many philanthropists and bibliophiles have contributed this library to grow into its present size. It is the largest library in the Kingdom in terms of collection, services and the number of members.

Even though TUCL is an academic library established to support the teaching, study and research programmes of the university, it has extended its services beyond the limit of the university campus. Apparently, having no public libraries in the valley and respecting the need and sentiments of all the concerned, the TUCL started rendering services by offering memberships to the general public as well as to the foreigners residing in Nepal.

And in addition, the library also serves the government ministries & foreign diplomatic missions. Therefore, it functions also as a public library and to some extent as a National library.

Since 1965, the TUCL has also been working as the Depository Library in Nepal for the United Nations� Organization and other International Organizations� publications. A separate section UN Depository Collection section containing more that 25,000 volumes has been set up to house the publications received from these organizations.

Since the beginning of January 2000, the library has also started functioning as the ISBN National Agency in Nepal to distribute International Standard Book Numbers for the books published in Nepal.

In addition to the usual Services, i.e., books circulation, Reference service and Special collections services, the TUCL also brings out Publications relevant to various subjects.

The library has maintained the traditional system of card catalogues for searching the materials. But in addition to this, since 1995, it has been providing in-house computer database searching facilities through OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) computer terminals to search the existing records of the library. The work of retrospective conversion of the card catalogues into computer records has yet to be done.

Library Hours:

Summer:  Opening hour: 800 a.m. to 7 p.m.

                Working hour: 8.00 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Winter:   Opening hour: 800 a.m. to 6 p.m.

            Working hour: 8.00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

BRIEF HISTORY 

The Central Library: In its report The Nepal National Education Commission, appointed in 1954, recommended as saying  �A strong central library should be established as a center for study and research�. As a result, an agreement between the Government of Nepal and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was signed on April 30, 1957 to establish a Central Library in Kathmandu. Consequently, a Central Library at Lal Durbar, Kathmandu was established under the guidance of Dr. E.W. Erickson on June 1, 1959.

The T.U. Library:  In July 1959, the Tribhuvan University Act was passed and the University itself came into existence. This same year, Tribhuvan University Library was established. This library originally suffered from inadequate book collection and facilities. At that time the library had only 1200 books, shelved in stacks made out of bricks and planks of wood in a very limited space. With the absence of a trained librarian, the collection could not be organized in a systematic manner.

Merge of two libraries: After three years, in 1962, the Central Library at Lal Durbar was handed over to Tribhuvan University Library in accordance with a decision of HMG of Nepal, and thus, after the merge of the 3 years old Central library (having a collection of 15,000 volumes of books) with the Tribhuvan University Library (having a collection of 7813 volumes) it came to be known as Tribhuvan University Library (TUCL) and the collection reached 24,813 volumes of books. In 1977 (2033 B.S.) it became the T.U. Central Library. Now, by May 2002 the library has altogether 250,000 volumes of books and other documents.

After the merge, the University high authority felt a necessity of a trained librarian to organize and run the library in a systematic manner. Furthermore, the USAID provided one scholarship seat for the study of Library Science course in the USA. Astonishingly, no teaching staff of the University showed interest to study Library Science course. Finally, one temporary instructor in History Ms. Shanti Mishra (Shrestha) agreed to study this subject and was sent to the States for study. After her study, she came back as expected, with a degree in the art and science of library organization and management and was appointed as the librarian. This year 1963 is a landmark in the history of library development in Nepal as well as in the growth and organization of TU Central Library itself.

OBJECTIVES

The Tribhuvan University Central Library being mindful of the University objectives and the expectations of the nation�s intellectuals and the general public, enshrines the following items as its objectives and strives to attain them for the benefit of the nation and its people.

LIBRARY ORGANIZATION 

 LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Tribhuvan University Central Library (TUCL) is governed by the University Library Development Committee under the chairmanship of Rector of the University. The committee has the authority to formulate policies to improve the overall conditions of the University library; Campus libraries, Research Center libraries and T.U. affiliated campus libraries. Members of this committee are selected by Vice Chancellor of TU according to the recommendation of the Rector

SUPPORT FOR OTHER LIBRARIES

A) Book donations: 

As enshrined in its objectives, the Tribhuvan University Central Library (TUCL), in addition to its own collection building, helps develop the collection of other libraries, mainly Campus libraries, School libraries and local Club libraries. Each year, the printed materials especially books received by TUCL as donations from other organizations are sorted and out of them the extra copies are distributed to the needy schools and campus libraries. In the year 1999/2000 alone, the library had distributed 2400 volumes of books to the various 23 campus and club libraries. Usually, this type of help depends on how much the TUCL gets from other organizations and how much it can afford to purchase. 

B) Training support:

The library, in association with Nepal Library Association, conducts short-term trainings, usually of 35 days. In addition to it, upon requests, the TUCL also provides attachment trainings on Basic library operation for the library assistants of various organizations.

Please contact us to know more about for receiving books from TUCL or donating to TUCL.

MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURES &  REGULATIONS

Only the TUCL members who have obtained readers tickets are eligible to borrow books. Audio books (cassettes) are issued only to the blind patrons. No journals are issued. Only the books kept in the general sections can be borrowed. Books of special sections (viz. UN section, Reference section, Dissertations etc) cannot be borrowed. TUCL offers memberships to University campus Kirtipur�s teachers, students, Research scholars etc. It also offers memberships to others as follows: 

1. Privileges and conditions of loan:

2. Renewal: Books are subject to recall after the due date. One renewal is permitted provided the book is not reserved by any other member.

3. Fines: Books must be returned by the due date marked on the due date slip affixed to the last page of the book at the time of signing out. Books are subject to overdue fines at the rate of Re 1.00 per day/item

4. Lost or damaged books: The library must immediately be informed if a borrowed book is lost. Members are advised to check the pages of the book(s) before borrowing. The borrower is deemed responsible if a signed out book is lost or if pages are found missing. In both the cases the borrower will have to bring a new book to replace the old lost one or pay 125% of the cost of the recent edition of the lost book.

5. Non - borrowable books/Reference books:  Books of fragile nature, expensive, rare, books subject to loss or mutilation,  and having other special significance are not permitted to borrow but may be consulted inside the library using a reference card.

MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION

a. Form endorsement: Person desiring to become a member of the TUCL has to obtain a blank registration form from the membership counter of the library. This form has to be properly fill-in and get endorsed by the Department head or in the case of employees, by the chief of the employing organization. The member should also bring a number of passport size photographs corresponding with the cards they receive as mentioned above. 

b.  Private membership: An attested photocopy of citizenship is required to submit along with the form and in the case of a foreigners, recommendation letter from his/her local employer has to be submitted. (A valid identification card may also be required in order to ascertain the recent address of the member).  

�   Deposit: Private members (Nepalese) have to deposit a refundable amount of Rs. 500/- and foreign members have to deposit Rs. 1000/- at the time of registration.

�   Fee: Private members both natives and foreigners are required to pay Rs. 100/- as monthly fee. This fee will defray service expenses and material costs accrued by the library in the provision of service to them.  

c.  Temporary membership: Persons desiring to obtain temporary membership are required to pay an amount of Rs. 500/-(non-refundable) as a service charge fee for a period of 3 months. No deposit fee is required for this type of membership. Temporary members cannot borrow books. They get one Reference card that is to be used inside the library. 

d.  Change of address: All the members are responsible for providing the library with a current address.  

e.  Lost cards:  Lost cards must be reported immediately to the library. Otherwise the card owner will be held responsible for any misuse of the cards. 

f.   Card renewal: Students must obtain recommendations every year from their departments on their membership form indicating that they are still eligible for membership. 

g.   Membership removal:  Library membership may be removed if a member fails to abide by the library rules and regulations or indulges in some habits that are offensive to the library and to other users.