The college library is the foundation of college education. It is the hub of college education around which all academic activities revolve. It is an indispensable component whose influence on teacher and taught is ubiquitous. Its role in education and shaping the intellectual capacities of students has been well acknowledged by renowned educationists worldwide. It kindles the souls of the knowledge thirsty students.The history of Islamia College Library dates back to 1961 with the establishment of the college itself. It has since Gone through many eras of its success, development and turmoil. The Islamia College Library was considered one among the best libraries because of its rare collection of books and manuscripts. However, the devastating fire of 1990 completely damaged the library and thus brought the end of a golden era of its existence. However, with the dedication of the college administration, the generosity of the State Government and above all the sheer hard work of the library staff, the library stands rebuilt on modern lines. The library’s professional staffs together with the college library committee lead by renowned subject specialists have toiled hard to put the library back on track to support the academic community of the college .The library presently possesses more than100,000 volumes of books covering all spheres of knowledge.

The present library block was constructed in 2002. It has a plinth area of 6132sq.ft.It is a three storey building having the capacity of accommodating 150,000 volumes. The library is constructed as per the standard design and layout drafted out by JKPCC that could qualify to be modern and scientific in all respects. The present name ‘Maulana Rasool Shah Memorial Library’ was give to it by the then and present Chief Minister of the State Jenab Mufti Muhammad Syed at its inauguration in August-2003.Maulana Rasool Shah Library acts as the central library of the college having its to constituent in various teaching departments and centers. It is the first college library in the State of J&K which is fully automated and uses modern and state of the art information technology gadgets in its operations and services.The Library fulfills the academic needs of the college community represented by faculty members, researchers, post-graduate and under-graduate students. The present collection of books is:

The academic credentials and the prestige of the College in 2010 attracted the attention of University Grants Commission, New Delhi and the College was granted CPE status (College with Potential for Excellence) the only College in J & K State. The College has been declared as an Autonomous College under section 2(b-a) of the Kashmir and Jammu Universities Act No. XXIV of 1969 (as amended in 2014) for a period of six years (2014-15 To 2019-2020) under UGC Notification No.F.22-1/2014(AC) dated 03-08-2014 followed by University Notification No.F(Auto-Status-ICSC)Acad/KU/14 Dated 13-10-2014.