The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, founded by the Dalai Lama in 1970, holds one of the most important collections of Tibetan Buddhist literature in the world: over 80,000 manuscripts, books, thangkas, and artefacts, many rescued from Tibet during the 1959 exodus. A museum on the second floor contains artefacts dating from the 12th century, including statues, ritual objects, and painted scrolls of great rarity.
The library also runs courses in Tibetan language, Buddhist philosophy, and meditation — some lasting a few days, others several weeks — that are popular with long-term visitors. The reading room is accessible to researchers. The building is below McLeod Ganj, in the Gangchen Kyishong area near the Tibetan administration complex, a short walk down from the Tsuglagkhang temple.