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Welcome to the Science Library
The Library of the Ceylon University College was initiated hundred years ago, in 1921, as a small collection of documents maintained at the College House to serve the then two departments, Science and Arts. In early 1950s, after transferring the Science Collection to the Faculty premises, departmental level libraries were established in the Departments of Botany, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Zoology. In 1984, the Library, Faculty of Science was established as one of the two branch libraries of the Main Library, University of Colombo. It was housed in the ‘Old Royal College Building’ in the Faculty premises from 1992 to end of 2020.
In the 21 st of January, 2021, when the Faculty of Science celebrates a century of excellence in its services to the nation, the Library was shifted to its new multistory building and adopted the name ‘Information and Learning Centre’ (ILC) to suit its scope of modern services that reach beyond the simple notion of a library. The contemporary learning zones and futuristic facilities of the ILC provide the learner community with a unique experience and a conducive environment for an engaging learning experience.
Learning spaces in the ILC are specifically designed to match with different learning styles of students, and include zones for reading, quiet study, collaborative study, interactive study and open study. Additionally, the library skills lab, e-resource centre and the library studio provide admirable modern facilities which would inspire and enhance students’ abilities to discover, experience, study and research.
Science Library
Faculty of Science
University of Colombo
PO Box 1490
Colombo 00300
Sri Lanka
Phone : +94 011-258 3883
Email : scilib@lib.cmb.ac.lk
Deputy Librarian
Mrs. H M D Sajeewanie D Somarathna
Email : sajees@lib.cmb.ac.lk
Tour in The Information and Learning Centre
They say if you think in terms of a year, plant a seed, if in terms of ten years, plant trees and if in terms of 100 years, teach people.
Opening of The Information and Learning Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, nurturing young intellectuals for past 100 years, thinking in terms of coming hundreds of years more.
We are proud to present a short tour in our mindblowing construction; The Information and Learning Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo. Read More
EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMES
EC 1004 Skills Development Programme
Database
Databases Subscribed by CONSAL and the University are available.
E - Books
Subscribed E-Books are available
Trial Access
Trial access E-Databases are available
E - journals
E-Journals Subscribed by the University and the Open Access E-Journals are available
Reference Collection
Reference collection of the Science Library is made of important textbooks recommended by the Faculty and essential reading materials which are limited in numbers. Reference books are issued for overnight and weekend use.
Lending Collection
The Lending Collection in the Science Library is kept open during the whole week. Books are loaned for a period of two weeks.
Thesis Collection
The Science Library holds a large number of undergraduate and postgraduate degree theses and dissertations. This collection is available for reference only.
Leisure Reading Collection
This collection will continue to grow as new titles are added annually. The collection includes fictions, mysteries, religious books, biographies, romances, and many more. If you wish to donate books to this collection please contact the librarian.
Sri Lanka Collection
This collection contains books with reference to Sri Lanka.
CD Collection
CD Collection
Academic Staff
Non-Academic Staff
Self Service Center
- Printing/ Scanning/ Copying
Document Supply Service
Photocopying Service
Coffee Shop
Wi-Fi Service
24x 7 Free wi-fi to our library visitors.
Free wi-fi facility is available at the library building. You can explore the library online resources as well as other external resources using the wi-fi facility.
- Date: August 7, 2024
Library Staff of the University of the Visual & Performing...
- Date: September 25, 2023
Professor Kshanika Hirimburegama’s Generous Donation of Management & Finance Books
Our Vision
To support the university’s vision in building synergies between knowledge, education and research, by striving to create an environment conducive to learning, teaching and intellectual advancement.
Our Mission
To underpin the mission of the university, by providing high-quality service for the staff, students and the researchers to satisfy their quest for knowledge.
The University of Ceylon was established in 1942 by the Ceylon University Ordinance No.20 of 1942. With the establishment of the University, the two colleges – the Ceylon Medical College and the Ceylon University College were absorbed into the new institution. The University of Colombo Library inherited the Collection of books and periodicals collected by the University of Ceylon since 1942 onwards excluding the collection of Arts and Education, which was transferred to Peradeniya in 1952 and 1959 respectively.
Initially, the Library of the University of Colombo was housed in a rented building ‘Villa Venetia’ situated behind the College House premises. The Science Library and the Law Library transferred from Peradeniya to Colombo in 1965 and have functioned at the College House with other small collections. In the faculty of Science, there are departmental libraries, i.e. Botany Department and Chemistry Department were manned by the main Library Staff.
In 1968, the Library at the College House and at the Grand Stand building was shifted to the National Pavilion Building which was constructed for the Industrial Exhibition. Part of the Science Library remained in the National Pavilion Building till 1982. In 1982 it was shifted to the New Chemistry Building and from there to the renovated Physics Building in 1992.
General Guidelines
- University Identity Card works as evidence either you are a student or staff in this university. Do not hesitate to produce your valid University Identity card before entering the library.
- If you are not a student or staff member in this university, show your national Identity / Passport and request the direction from the staff in front desk and visit the library office. Permission has to obtain from the Librarian or the authorized staff member in the library to access the collection.
- The University Identity Card facilitates to provide access to your profile in the Library Management System. Hence, the University Identity Card is compulsory to borrow books from the library.
- Books of Permanent Reference and Periodicals will only be issued for photocopy purposes withholding your University Identity Card until returned the material to the section.
Opening Hours
| Weekdays | 8.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Weekends | 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. |
Opening Hours
- Readers must produce their University Record Book/Identity Card when entering the library, borrowing books or any other time when called upon to do so.
- Readers must produce their belongings such as books, notes, laptops etc. to the Library staff at the entrance.
- SILENCE should be observed in the individual study areas.
- Seats in the Library may not be reserved or removed by the readers.
- Readers are allowed to do group discussions at discussion areas in the library.
- Consumption of food and drink, smoking and the use of matches or an open flame are not allowed in the Library.
- Visitors to the Library are required to obtain the permission of the Librarian to enter the Library.
- Any disorderly or improper conduct or breach of regulations will render the reader or borrower concerned liable to suspension from using the library.
- Please keep your personal belongings in the cloak room on the ground floor. Valuable articles or cash should not be kept in the cloakroom. The Library Staff will not hold themselves responsible for any losses.
- It is requested that all readers should avoid wearing unsuitable clothes like shorts, caps (except the religious headgear) etc. when they enter the Library.
- Prior approval in writing should be obtained from the Librarian to take photographs inside the Library.
Borrowing Limits
Undergraduate Students
| Year | No of Books | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lending | Reference | Semester Lending | |
| 1st Year | 03 | 02 | 01 |
| 2nd Year | 03 | 02 | |
| 3rd Year | 03 | 02 | |
| 4th Year | 03 | 02 | |
Postgraduate Students
| Category | No of Books | |
|---|---|---|
| Lending | Reference | |
| Postgraduate | 01 | 01 |
Staff of University of Colombo
| Category | No of Books (Lending or Reference) |
|---|---|
| Academic Staff (Permanent) | 10 |
| Academic Staff (Temporary) | 03 |
| Administrative Staff | 03 |
| Non-academic Staff | 02 |
Outside Researchers
No Library tickets will be issued for any outsiders those who are not members of the Library. However, outside researchers can request from the Librarian to refer to some materials available in the library. In considering the available facilities, materials and wrathfulness of the research, only reference facilities will be granted by the librarian. These requests will be considered if the potential reader can produce a letter addressed to the Librarian by the Head of a recognized research body indicating the significance of the research and the affiliation of the researcher. Temporary membership can be issued on request.
Overdue Books
The books that are not returned on the due dates will be charged as follows:
| Book Type | Fine per day (Rs.) |
|---|---|
| Lending | Reference |
| 10.00 | 15.00 |
Recall of Books
The Librarian may recall books at any time and the borrower must return books immediately when called upon to do so.
Lost and Damaged Books
- Students should report to the issuing counter, if any marks or damages to the books are found, at the time of borrowing. In the absence of such a report the books will be presumed to have been in good condition when loaned, and the borrower will be responsible and fined for any damage observed at the time the books are returned.
- Tearing off pages from a publication or any type of vandalism is strictly forbidden and it is a punishable offense. Such students will be reported to the Dean of the Faculty and the library facilities will be suspended for a period determined by the Librarian.
- The borrower will be liable to pay the full cost of replacement of a book, and other costs as defined by the university.
- Loss of a book should be reported immediately to the circulation counter by filling a declaration form available at the circulation desk and the Library website. If the book is not found and not returned after two weeks, the borrower will be notified to pay for its replacement cost.
All scholars (Undergraduates, Postgraduates, who are registered for the courses conducted by the University) and permanent Academic and non-academic staff members are entitled to refer the library with their identity cards. They need to submit relevant documents for borrowing books.
Undergraduates
Enrolled at the time of opening the faculty for a new academic year.
Postgraduates
Submit the University ID Card along with the receipt of library fees payment.
Staff Members
Applicable for Academic, Executive & Non- Academic staff members of the Faculties of the University of Colombo.
Submit the duly filled Staff membership registration Form