Kerala University Library is situated in the heart of the Thiruvananthapuram city very adjacent to University Buildings. It has a very rich collection of documents consisting of books, back volumes of periodicals, theses, CD-ROMs, Microfilms etc. The Collection of back volumes of social science periodicals is considered to be one of the best in South India. Kerala University Library is today the major centre of study and research in the state. On an average 1000 to 1250 students, research scholars, teachers and others visit the library daily.

The Library of the University of Travancore (later renamed as Kerala University Library) was started in 1942. After the formation of Kerala State in 1956, steps were taken to reconstitute the University of Travancore into a teaching and federal University for the state as a whole. With this in view the Kerala University Act was brought into force by the Kerala Government in 1957 with the preamble " .... conservation, promotion and development of Kerala Art and Culture and the Malayalam language and the gradual change of the medium of instruction into Malayalam in all the educational institutions in the state as well as the provision of greater facilities for the post graduate study and original research in all branches of learning by establishing centres of post graduate study and original research in different parts of the state."

The present library building, a two storied structure with a total plinth area of 53,000 Sq.ft., started functioning on 8^th September 1962. The post of a Professional Librarian to be in full administrative charge of the Library was created in 1959 and Prof. K. A. Isaac was appointed to the post in August 1959. He continued to be the University Librarian until 1980 and he was succeeded by Sri. K. C. John.