The library is where the classroom meets the evidence. Physiotherapy changes quickly, and the national curriculum expects every graduate to search the literature, judge what they read and use the best available evidence with patients. The RCP library and reading room give students the books, journals and digital access to do that from the first year.
The collection
Textbooks
Textbooks for every subject of the syllabus, from human anatomy in the first year to sports physiotherapy and community rehabilitation in the fourth, stocked in line with the NCAHP norms.
Reference books
Advanced reference books for each specialty, for project work, seminars and preparation for higher study.
Journals
Subscriptions to national and international physiotherapy journals, so that students and faculty can follow current research and practice.
E-resources
Subscriptions to electronic databases and e-journals, available through the e-library.
Digital access
Students have internet access to the e-library through dedicated computer terminals in the library. They use them to search databases, read e-journals and prepare assignments, case presentations and project work. Basic computer and internet skills are taught in the first year in Computers & Information Science (BPT-109).
How the library supports your studies
Years 1–2: Build the foundation
Read around lectures with the prescribed textbooks for anatomy, physiology, exercise therapy, electrotherapy and the other core subjects.
Year 3: Learn to search and appraise
Research Methodology, Biostatistics & Evidence-Based Practice (BPT-307) teaches literature searching, critical appraisal and evidence-based physiotherapy. Students prepare a sample research proposal.
Year 4: Prepare a project
Project Work Orientation (BPT-408) prepares students for the supervised project they complete during internship: a case study, a new technique or a literature review.
Internship: Practise with evidence
Interns present at least twelve cases or peer reviews and complete their project, drawing on journals and databases to support clinical decisions.
Library services & rules
Services
- A library card is issued to every student
- Textbooks can be borrowed for home study
- Reference books and journals are for reading in the library
- Help with finding books, journals and e-resources
- Quiet reading room for individual study
Rules
- Carry your library card and ID when you use the library
- Return borrowed books on or before the due date
- Handle books with care; lost or damaged books must be replaced
- Keep silence and switch phones to silent in the reading room
- Use the e-library terminals for academic work
Borrowing limits, loan periods and fines are as notified by the librarian. The library is managed by a qualified librarian and assistant librarian.
NCAHP library norms (for reference). The NCAHP Curriculum Handbook of Physiotherapy (2025) sets these minimum standards for a BPT college with an intake of 50. They are national norms, not a count of RCP's holdings.
- Library with reading room: 2,500 sq. ft.
- Textbooks: one copy per 10 students per subject, 600–700 books
- Reference books: 300 advanced books
- Journals: at least four international and four national journals
- E-resources: subscription to an electronic database / e-journals
- E-library: internet access is mandatory, with a minimum of 15 computer terminals for 60 students
- Staff: one librarian and one assistant librarian
Library hours
The library is open on working days. Opening hours are as notified by the librarian and displayed at the library entrance.
Study with the evidence at hand
Enquire about BPT admissions for 2026–27, or visit the campus to see the library and reading room.