Library

The library is the major asset of OUCIP. Spread over an area of nearly 25,000 square feet, the library consists of Periodicals Section, Reference Section, Stack Halls, and Special Collections. The library has inherited from the ASRC, one of the largest collections of books on American Studies. In recent years it has not only updated its holdings on American Studies, but added a number of books on newer areas of study and research. Today, the library collection comprises over 1,50,000 books 4000 reference sources, 2000 special volumes, 75 current journals, and back volumes of 350 national and international journals. Besides, the library has a collection of JSTOR, and of ProQuest Dissertations and Theses – Full text.

Periodicals Section (ground and first floor)

The Centre currently subscribes to foreign and Indian journals and magazines and newspapers. These are displayed on the ground floor while back volumes are arranged alphabetically on the ground and first floors.

Reference Section

Nearly 4000 volumes – Dictionaries, Atlases, Encyclopedias, Handbooks, Yearbooks and multi-volume collections such as Contemporary Literary Criticism (CLC), Contemporary Authors (CA) – make this section irresistible for any researcher.

The library uses NewGenLib, the open source integrated library management system, and members can access the catalogue both offsite on the Centre’s website and on site using the computer terminals located in the Reference Section. The card catalogue available in the section provides information about books acquired before 1st April 1995.

Stacks

Three large halls comprise the stacks Area where books are arranged subject-wise: Humanities (800-999), Arts and Aesthetics (700), Social Sciences (300-699), and General (000-299).

Special Collections

  • OIR (Olive I Reddick) Room houses 300 rare books, archival materials, and the American studies in Indian Languages (ASIL) collection. The room is named after Dr. Olive I Reddick, one of the former Director of US Educational Foundation in India (USEFI), who was instrumental in the creation of American Studies Research Centre.
  • ICAS (Indian Contributions to American Studies) Room has nearly 1,500 dissertations and Theses on America-related topics submitted to various Indian universities for the award of M. Phil and PhD degrees.
Working Hours

The library remains open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm on all working days. The Circulation Desk works between 10:00 am and 4:45 pm.

Membership

The library offers membership under the following categories: International Membership, Institutional Membership, Life membership, Regular Membership, Reader Membership, and Temporary Membership. For more details and Membership forms, visit the Centre’s website or write to: ouciplibrary@gmail.com

Services
  • Carrels are allocated to scholar’s who make regular use of the library and wish to pursue focused study. Up to 10 books at a time will be issued for a maximum period of one month to a scholar for carrel use.
  • Postal Borrowing Facility is extended to Life and Regular Members on payment of returnable caution deposit. This facility allows outstation members to borrow books for a maximum period of 60 days. Books are sent by VPP and the member has to return them before the due date by registered parcel.
  • Database Orientation Sessions introduce the scholars to the library resources in general and to the electronic databases of journals and theses in particular. These sessions are conducted on request both for groups as well as individual scholars.
  • Literature and Bibliographic Search enables scholars to prepare a relevant bibliography of books and journal articles from the computerized library catalogue. Scholars are encouraged to do the search of the databases on their own after attending the Orientation Sessions and approach the Bibliographic Section only for printouts of selected articles, etc.
  • Photocopying Facility is available on the ground floor.
Audio-Visual Room

AV Room with its theatre-style set-up offers an excellent ambience for viewing and discussing classic as well as contemporary films that form part of the Center’s collection.

OUCIP is well equipped to provide data, information and research resources in accordance with the professional and academic needs and interests of our individuals and institutional members. In return for a relatively small annual membership fee of Rs.10,000/- we offer to our corporate members the following services.

  • A total of 6 books on loan at a time for a period of one month.
  • Access to library for three persons identified by the head of the member of institution.
  • Bibliographical materials on request by e-mail and sent by VPP post.
  • Content services of any two journals will be provided by e-mail on prior request.
  • Apart from this OUCIP provides a discount of 20% in the guest house.

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