Hakim Mohammed
Sayeed Central Library

The library system of Jamia Hamdard consists of Hakeem
Mohammad Sayeed Central Library and five faculty libraries. The present
resources of the library consist of books (1,30,645), bound periodicals
(16,441), manuscripts, rare books, etc. The library subscribes to
90 current journals and gets nearly 150 Indian and foreign journals
through gift and exchange on medicine, pharmacy, nursing, science,
religion, social sciences, computer science, information technology,
management sciences, etc. Many of the books and journals are in Urdu,
Arabic, Persian, Japanese and Chinese languages. Library is being
computerised and all the books in English will be available through
computerised search facility from 1st April 2001.
The circulation of books and journals, in one year,
averages about 70,000 and 19,000, respectively. Fifteen dailies are
subscribed for the library.
Established in 1960 as a part of Institute of Islamic
Studies and the Institute of History Medicine and Medical Research.
University Library is one of the oldest Institutions of Jamia Hamdard.
With a small beginning as a library attached to Hamdard Dawakhana
(Wakf), over the years it has meticulously enriched its collections.
The Central Library of the University has all the required
sections including the sections for binding and preservation, art,
calligraphy, and reprography. It has two special collection sections
viz. Naziria Collection and,). Mallick Ram Collection. They are well
maintained and attract many scholars from India and abroad.
The Library has started various computer aided services
such as bibliographic service by using CD_ROM databases-MED-line
and TOX-line, e-mail service, Current Contents Service, addition
of publications, photo-copying service, press clipping service, etc.
These services are available to all the members of the faculties,
research scholars and student community of the University.
Manuscripts: The library at present contains about
5000 manuscripts, mostly in Arabic, Persian and Urdu languages. Many
of these are rare and are of great research value. They cover almost
all important areas in the field of Islamic Studies, Medicine and
Sciences. Most of these manuscripts are hand written by the authors.
Consultation facility has been provided within the section where
scholars can consult the available manuscripts at this centre. Efforts
are being made to microfilm as many manuscripts from all over the
country, as possible. So far, 237 microfilmed rolls have been completed.
Printed catalogues of manuscripts of different libraries are also
being collected.
Press Clippings: A valuable collection of over 1 million
press-clippings has been built up during the last four decades. It
is systematically arranged under 500 subject headings.
Museum: The museum is housed on the ground floor of
the Central Library Building. It comprises sculptures, glass and
porcelain exhibits, instruments, documentary material, charts, diagrams,
etc., giving a comprehensive idea of the historical development of
different systems of medicine in different parts of the world. It
has a threefold purpose. It helps: (a) in teaching of science and
culture, (b) in tracing the history of development of medicine, and
(c) in assisting research scholars. It has a fascinating panorama
of thousands of documents, models, replicas, illustrations, paintings
and surgical instruments that map the growth of medical theory and
practice from prehistoric to modern times. The display covers all
great civilizations of the world and helps both medical students
and laymen to grasp the amazing dimensions of science and art of
healing. It is proposed to add many new artifacts and museum specimens
to make this facility a more useful source of reference and knowledge.
A restoration laboratory and a mounting unit are being attached to
the Museum.
Publications:
Studies in History of Medicine and Science
AL-QANUN FI-AL TIBB by Avicenna
List of Publications
Hindustan ki Deeni Darsgahen Kul Hind Survey