“To the people of Calcutta, St. Xavier’s Collegiate School and the St. Xavier’s College are known as institutions which have perfected the cultivation of prestige. A part of Kolkata’s intellectual and cultural heritage, its alumni include famous industrialists, politicians, scientists, economists, and historians who have not only contributed to the city but also the country. Behind these luminaries who all were once students, stands a Catholic order of men clad in white cassocks, who the students and their parents, as well as wider society, knows by the epithets ‘Father’ or ‘Brother’. The word ‘Jesuit’ is known by all who attend the institution, few who don’t, and the particularities of the order are sadly missed to most in this city.
The Goethals Library stands as a hopeful beacon against this and the general historical amnesia which is so common among a populace who grow up to dread history as ‘names’ and ‘dates’. A repository of rare gems — from out-of-print books about Jesuits in Mughal India as well as Ming and Qing China, to manuscripts by priests who were inspired to Catholicism by Hindu theology, and reports by and of Jesuits who preached, practised and taught science - the records of this library stand testimony to the living tradition of the order’s scholastic depth. Other than that, there is a rich collection on topics as vast as botany, numismatics, sports, religion and many other things which people might open their encyclopaedias for. School magazines and detailed journals will throw light on the history of education and science in our city, and to historians of both Europe and South Asia - this collection is full of material with characters and perspectives which are often missing from other such institutions.
On a lighter note, some of my personal favourite findings have included: details about a motorcycle mishap in Chhattisgarh during a mission sometime in the 1920s, accounts of Lourdes and other such popular religious movements in Europe and the making of the Sacre Cour which were reported as ‘current events’, a rather wry report by Thomas Huxley on Catholic educators and their pragmatic approach to science, and a small booklet called ‘Catholic and Communist, why not?”

“For the scholar interested in the history of India in general and of the Bengal Jesuit Mission in particular, Goethals Library is an invaluable resource. Its collection of books and manuscripts (to highlight but one constituent part of the library's holdings) is a treasure trove of both primary and secondary source materials, some of which are quite literally one of a kind. My own research has benefited immeasurably from having access to these materials—which, of course, has been made possible by the assistance of the director and staff of Goethals, for whose time and efforts I am truly grateful.”

"A treasure trove of knowledge and an embodiment of unique sources of information for Erie researchers."

"The paintings are really great & impressive. They appear to be very lively & naturistic. It was nice being here."

"An excellent collection with impeccable maintenance of the glories of our beloved institution."

"Always gives me Goosebumps to enter this place. This is the sanctuary of knowledge, so rare to find nowadays."

"The Goethals Indian Library and reading room is a heritage building more than a century old known for its architecture and palatial reading rooms. I'm very enjoyed to visit the library."

"It is certainly one of the heritage library in Kolkata. Very well maintained. Membership process is not at all difficult. It is open for all. Here are find all the rarest collection of books and manuscripts dating back to old centuries that very attractive."

"Many Many thank you. I am thrilled, overwhelmed to read this rare beautiful article and see the image of \"Chuchura Gitagovinda\". Thank you again."

"Wonder collection of books and documents regarding the Bengal Mission. I’m proud to visit the library is gave some missionary zeal."

"A very well maintained library. Very precious collection whose value can't be joyed. Keep up the good work and maintain the library."

"It is a priceless honour and privilege visiting this Library. Absolutely impressive and very well-preserved history. One can spend hours here. Thanks to everyone associated with the library for these priceless treasures and this rare experience possible."

"It is our second-last day at SXC as undergraduate students. It has been a roller-coaster journey. This visit to the Goethals Library has made our sack of memories even fuller. What was once a dream is now about to come to an end. Xaverians at heart, always."

"The library has an invaluable collection of materials on colonial history-art, music & so on. Many of the books preserved here are not available anywhere across India."

"An absolute honour to have an opportunity to go through this treasure trove. What a fantastic history and paintings, thanks for keeping it safe for future generations."

"My day’s first visit to this historic library, everyone loved the enriching experience witnessing rich history. Grateful for the excellent time."

"I've been some of the wonderful collection that rekindled my memory of Indian History, at and others wonderful collection."

"It was an immense privilege to walk through the hallowed doors of the Goethals library. The viewing of this sacred and ancient manuscript to the original paintings of Jamini Roy to the aging collection of book, artifacts and paintings was amazing."