Restoration, Conservation and Preservation 

The monumental task of keeping the books and manuscripts in good condition and prolonging their life-one of the central tasks of the Society -has been given a fillip since the 1990s. This is due in the first place, to the bifurcation of the Society from the Central Library, freeing much-needed space in the Town Hall to accommodate the Society's own teeming book population. Further, processes of microfilming and de-acidification and tissue papering of valuable books and manuscripts have been initiated by the setting up of two laboratories. A project for putting the books and manuscripts into CDROM is under consideration. 

Through 'Adopt a Book' scheme, individuals and institutions are approached for help in conservation and preservation. For example, Mumbai Port Trust responded to this scheme by financing the microfilming and conservation of a good number of books on ports, maritime history, maritime trade and development, and now there is a Mumbai Port Trust Corner so named on the mezzanine floor of the library.

Microfilming laboratory 

This was inaugurated in 1995, through donations from Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India, Bombay Municipal Corporation, and Government of Maharashtra. Two copies of the selected book or manuscript are made on microfilm, one for the use of readers on the premises and the other is housed in the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi. Books and manuscripts in a delicate condition, being thus available to readers on microfilm, are spared direct lending and reference.

Conservation laboratory 

Opened in 1991, through donations from Sir Dorab Tata Trust and Tata group of companies. The following processes are carried out. Acid layer from the selected book or manuscript is removed, it is fumigated, treated chemically, covered with tissue paper and rebound. Priority is given to damaged or fragile books. The Society's Library is one of the few libraries in India undertaking this task. 

Compact Book Shelving System 

Since 1999, additionel space has been created in the renovated basement, by installing a Compact Book Shelving System, in which mobile steel racks store books in a dust-free, pilfer-free environment. Over a lakh of books and periodicals have been shifted to the mobile racks. The project was made possible by a donation from State Bank of India, Associated Cement Companies and Industrial Development Bank of India. 

Special Collections Room 

To house the rarest of the rare books, an air conditioned room in the basement was inaugurated in 1999 through a donation from Hindustan Lever Limited. The Special Collections Room has mobile racks as well as special cupboards to house extra large books. Over 10,000 books have been selected and accommodated here