IIAS Launches MyLOFT-based Library Mobile Application and Remote Access Service
Shimla, July 24, 2026: The Library of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Niwas, Shimla, today launched the MyLOFT-based Library Mobile Application and PC/Laptop Remote Access Service. A user training session was organized on the occasion to familiarize Fellows, Associates, researchers, officers, and staff of the Institute with the features of the digital library services and their utility in academic research.
The service was formally inaugurated by Prof. Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, Director, IIAS. In his address, he emphasized that seamless and instant access to knowledge resources has become a fundamental requirement in the contemporary research ecosystem. He stated that the expansion of library services through digital technology would further strengthen the Institute’s research culture by providing scholars with uninterrupted access to world-class academic resources anytime and from anywhere. He described the initiative as a significant step towards making library services more accessible, inclusive, and research-oriented.
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Rajeev Kumar Mishra, Librarian, IIAS. He explained that through the MyLOFT platform, authorized users of the Institute can now securely access the Library’s subscribed e-books, e-journals, databases, and other digital resources from any location using the MyLOFT mobile application or a web browser on their PC or laptop. He noted that this facility would enable researchers to access high-quality academic resources both on and off campus, thereby making research more convenient and efficient.
Dr. Mishra further highlighted that the platform provides seamless access to more than 13,000 full-text journals from around 30 leading international publishers under the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) initiative, over 2,800 academic journals across more than 60 disciplines through JSTOR, as well as e-books from renowned publishers including Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Taylor & Francis, and Gale. In addition, users will have convenient access to the Library catalogue, information on new arrivals, and other essential digital library services. These resources are expected to save researchers’ time while enhancing the quality and efficiency of their scholarly work.
He also informed the gathering that the IIAS Library has strengthened its Research Support Services through the Institute’s website. These include internationally recognized APA, MLA, and Chicago Style Manuals, reference management tools such as Mendeley, Zotero, and EndNote, and information on writing enhancement and similarity checking services including Grammarly, DrillBit, and ShodhShuddhi. The Library has also integrated Abhilekh Patal, the National Archives of India’s digital archival platform, enabling researchers to access digitized historical records and archival resources. These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive digital support to researchers at every stage of the research lifecycle.
The user training session was conducted by Mr. Vaibhav Goyal and Ms. Janvi Nechlani from MyLOFT. They demonstrated the practical use of the mobile application and web portal, including user login, searching digital resources, creating a personal digital library, saving and organizing references, and making effective use of the platform’s various features. They also addressed participants’ queries during the interactive session.
Participants appreciated the launch of the new digital facility and described it as a valuable addition to the Institute’s research and academic ecosystem. The initiative reflects the Indian Institute of Advanced Study’s continued commitment to integrating modern digital technologies with academic excellence, making knowledge resources more accessible, efficient, and user-centric for the research community.
