The general library is known to have many rare and old books,[2] in its collections, and is particularly sought after by those interested in philosophy, history, literature, the social sciences, travel writing, writing on the arts and music, the natural world and poetry, besides fiction.
The book collection is largely in English, but also includes a selection of Kannada titles.
Besides its calendar of programs, the IIWC also offers ongoing art and bhajan classes as well as special summer programs (typically in the months of April and May, each year) covering a variety of interest areas including art, craft, cooking, music, puppetry, gardening and so on.
The IIWC has endeared itself over the decades, since its founding, to citizens of the city, and has come to serve many, as a window to a world of literature, arts, philosophy, sciences, new thought and culture.
[3] It has attracted, to its lecture platform, eminent personalities including C P Ramaswamy Ayiar, Julian Huxley, Arnold Toynbee, C Rajagopalachari, John Boyd Orr, The Panchen Lama, Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, K G Saiyidin, Karan Singh, Martin Luther King Jr., Salman Rushdie and many others.