The history of Doshisha's library began in 1876 when a reading room was established and Joseph hardy Neesima (Joe NIIJIMA), the founder of the university, opened his collection of books to the students in order to lend them out.
同志社の図書館の歴史は1876年に図書縦覧室を設け、創立者である新島襄が自らの書籍を公開、貸し出ししたことが始まりである。