The South- and Central Asia collection of Leiden University is the only one of its kind in the Netherlands and among the largest in Europe. Also known as Kern Collection, it holds a wide range of material on the regions of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Tibet.

The collection is located at the central building of the in the open stacks. All titles kept here can be checked out on display of a valid library card unless indicated differently.  In the UB reading room on the first floor you find a freely accessible collection of reference books and dictionaries. Those books are for use in the reading room only.  Manuscripts, photographs, letters, maps as well as rare and precious books and prints, can be consulted in the Special Collection Reading Room. Please use the Catalogue to find the exact location of any particular title. If you have difficulties locating a title please ask for help at the information desk or contact the subject librarian.