Established in 1959, the Central Library is located at the heart of the University of Malaya campus. This four-storey building spans a total floor area of 17,372 square meters.
The ground floor houses service counters, self-charging machines, reference desks, and the customer service office. The second floor is dedicated to the thesis and dissertation collection, Pendeta Discovery terminals, and a study area. The third floor features a reference hall, while the fourth floor contains the media collection. The library’s main collection is distributed across the second to fourth floors.
The library provides seating for up to 1,608 users, including 60 daily carrels, 21 of which are specially allocated for visually impaired users. There are five computer labs—Lab B, Lab C, Lab S, and other general-use labs—located throughout the building. Computer facilities are available on every floor. Information skills programs are conducted in Lab C and online, teaching users how to effectively search for information using various digital tools provided by the library.
This open-shelf collection includes textbooks and monographs across a wide range of subjects to support the university's learning, teaching, and research activities. Academic staff, students, and registered library members may borrow materials from this collection.
Contains textbooks and essential reading materials recommended by lecturers for their students. These resources are available for short-term use to ensure wider access.
Includes dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, directories, and research guides. These materials are for in-library use only.
Houses articles, books, research summaries, conference papers, technical reports, and newspapers in microfiche and microfilm formats. Available for access within the Central Library.
This collection consists of postgraduate theses and dissertations from the University of Malaya, along with selected works from the National University of Singapore. It is a closed-access collection, also available digitally at studentsrepo.um.edu.my (temporarily only compatible with Mozilla Firefox).
Features a selection of popular fiction and non-fiction titles, including motivational books, biographies, poetry, young adult fiction, humor, and popular science, in both English and Malay. These materials are available for browsing and borrowing.
The media collection supports teaching and research with formats such as VHS, CDs, LPs, and Blu-rays. Some materials are for in-library use only, while others, including non-academic content like films, may be borrowed based on user eligibility.
The library provides internet-enabled computers throughout the building. Labs B and C are designated for postgraduate and research use, while Lab S is equipped for users with disabilities. Public-access computers are available on the ground floor.
Registered library members may book discussion rooms for up to two hours. Rooms are located on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors. Reservations must be made at the Level 1 service counter at least one day in advance. Keys are available on the day of use.
The library offers 39 carrel rooms for postgraduate students, academic staff, and researchers. 21 of these rooms are reserved for visually impaired users. Carrels are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online bookings can be made at: umlib.um.edu.my/events/um-library-carrel-room-booking
Photocopying and printing services are provided by commercial vendors on Level 3 and near the 24-hour study area. Users must download the designated app to access these services.
Wireless internet is available throughout the library. UM students and staff can log in using their UM email credentials. Visitors can obtain temporary access credentials at the Information Desk.
Quiet reading spaces are available on every floor. Users are advised not to reshelf books after use but to place them on the designated trolleys for proper handling by library staff.
Self Returning Book Kiosk operates 24 hours a day. Users can used this facility to return books at any time and their records will be automatically updated.
Two self-service machines allow users to check out books independently. Users are advised to keep the transaction receipt for reference.
Library users can obtain leisure in this corner. There are also corner for Read@Uni programme.
Members in need of private discussions may reserve discussion room and use on two-hourly basis. Discussion rooms located at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th level, Central Library. The room are only available for UM staffs and students.
Auditorium can accommodate 80 people and suitable for activities such as talks, workshops and seminars. Auditorium usage is permitted for any official university activities, equipped with PA system and campus internet networks. Located at the 4th floor, Main Library.
The Library provides carrels for postgraduate students, academic staff and researchers. Carrels are also reserved for blind students, located at the Central Library.
Seating capacity- Children : 15
Seating capacity- Adult : 12
Seating capacity : 8
Moderate Noise Area
Seating capacity : 48
Moderate Noise Area
Seating capacity : 320
Quiet Area
Seating capacity : 124
Moderate Noise Area
Seating capacity :
Moderate Noise Area
Seating capacity : 336
Moderate Noise Area
Seating capacity :
Moderate Noise Area
Seating capacity : 12
Moderate Noise Area
Seating capacity : 126
Moderate Noise Area
Seating capacity : 100
Mini theater room is place for users to relax while watching and listen to AV collections in the Library. The room could be occupied up to 10 users at one time and is equipped with 2 flat screen 40″ TVs and audio system. It also has a sofa to give user comfortable environment while enjoying the Av collections such as DVD VCD, CD and LP records. To reserve this room please contact 03-79673432
Auditorium can accommodate 80 people and suitable for activities such as talks, workshops and seminars. Auditorium usage is permitted for any official university activities, equipped with PA system and campus internet networks. Located at the 4th floor, Main Library.
The station provided to user’ s who need to view the media materials in the library. You may request the headphone at the media office, Level 4.
ADMINISTRATION AND STRATEGIC DIVISIONAdministration and Strategic Division is the main administrative office for the entire administration of the University of Malaya Library. All official matters relating to the library are handled by the Administration and Strategic Division including corporate communications for internal and external affairs. |
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT SECTIONThe Division is responsible for the acquisition of library materials in the form of books, serials (printed and electronic), non-book materials (audio/video tapes, microforms, CD-ROM etc.) and newspapers (local and international). |
CATALOGUING UNITThe Cataloguing Unit provide access to scholarly materials in the UM Library collection to support research, teaching and learning in the UM community by organizing, describing, and providing effective, accurate tools that assist our clients in locating information resources of value to them. |
USER SERVICES SECTIONUser Services Section is responsible in providing effective services in meeting the needs of users, fulfill users satisfaction and also providing current information to users. The services provided to users are library material’s transaction (loan, return, renew, reserve), Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery, Library user’s Registration (internal user, external user), Information Desk Services and Services for locating unfound library materials. |
USER EDUCATION SECTIONThe User Education Section offers information skills and user education programmes for undergraduates, postgraduates and Academic Staff. Our primary aim is to provide optimum service that satisfies the research needs of the many people who use the Library in an efficient, reliable, consistent and courteous manner. |
TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT SECTIONTechnology Management Section is responsible in ensuring that computer system in the Library Network is fully operational besides providing quality ICT service. |
RESEARCH SERVICES SECTIONResearch Services Section was established with the aim of supporting research activities of the University and Library. This unit is primarily responsible for the preparation of various reports such as library resources statistics as well as monthly reports on University’s publication data indexed in Web of Science and Scopus. |
CONSERVATION & PRESERVATION UNITThe Preservation & Conservation Unit coordinates services for the care and maintenance of the University Library’s collections: to prevent damage, to extend useable life, or to repair damage. |
Central Library,
Universiti Malaya,
50603 Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur.
Tel.No: +603-7956 7800
Fax: +603-7967 3661
Last Update: 17/04/2025