The National Library of Pakistan, is located at Constitution Avenue, Islamabad, Pakistan.
National library of Pakistan was inaugurated on August 24, 1993 by the caretaker prime minister of Pakistan Mr.Moin Ahmad Qureshi. The National library exchanges Government documents with USA, Pakistan National Bibliography with other national libraries of the world, serves as depository for Asian Development Bank publications and provides information and photocopy service. The National library is a member of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). The library serves not only the top most information but a coordinating force for all libraries. Over a short span of few years the library has acquired numerous collections through purchases, copyright deposits, gifts, exchanges, and donations.
- Books: 130,000 volumes.
- Manuscripts: 555 titles
- Microfilms: 45 Reels
- Microfiches: 48000 Cards
- Magazines: 845 titles
- Newspapers: 135 titles
These collections include 40100 Pakistani publications received under the provisions of the Copyright Law. Special collections include rare handwritten manuscripts in Persian language relating to History of Kashmir and first copy of Kulyat-e-Meer published in 1811 and microfilms/microfiches of all British India Census Reports for 1911, 1921, 1931 and 1941. The Library has also acquired copies of about 30 Ph.D. dissertations written in American universities on Pakistan.
The building was constructed at a plot measuring 500x 112 ft,the National library building has a covered area of 168,800 sq ft (15,680 m2). On four floors. It is a centrally air conditioned/heated building with a capacity to accommodate one million volumes, 500 general readers seats, work area for staff, Auditorium and other services.
The National Library of Pakistan serves as cultural center of the capital. Library is intended to be a reference library for all purposes, a working place for scholars, Postgraduate students of social sciences and humanities and repository of national published literature for future historians.
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