With beginnings as a small private collection by Roja Muthiah, the library now holds an impressive 3,00,000 items and aims at continually preserving and expanding the historic archive.
At the time of his death in 1992, the collection comprised nearly 1,00,000 items in Tamil which included books, periodicals and several other literary gems.
Understanding the significance of the library and the need to preserve its valuable contents the University of Chicago bought the entire collection in 1994.
The vast collection in RMRL is a direct reflection of Tamil print heritage and culture, spanning a period of over 200 years, the earliest title being a book, 'Kantarantati' published in 1804.
The discoveries of Neolithic artifacts in South India bearing Indus Script-like characters has kindled the interest of south India and Tamil scholars who are especially interested in exploring the possibilities of deciphering the Indus Script, which would reveal the linguistic and cultural affinities of the Harappan people.