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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

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

User Guides
Online Public Access Catalogue
Information Literacy Training
Research Support
ILC Space Reservation
Learning Space
Request Articles
RFID Self-Check Machine
Inter Library Loan Service
Self Service Center
  • Printing/ Scanning/ Copying
Document Supply Service
Cloak Room
Laptop Lending 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.

Library Staff of the University of the Visual & Performing...

On July 23, 2024, Library staff of the University of the Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA), led by Mrs. Mudhitha Ankumbura, Senior Assistant Librarian visited the Science Library of the University of Colombo. This initiative was par with the staff development of the Visual and Performing Arts Library. Mrs. Sajeewanie Somaratna, Senior...

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.
Borrowing Limits

Undergraduate Students