A major project has been launched to digitise the historic Quaid-i-Azam Library to modernise its services and expand access to knowledge.
Under the initiative, most of the library’s academic and research collections will be made available online over the next two to three years.
Library currently houses around 2.5m books
The library currently houses around 2.5 million books, making it one of the most significant research libraries in Lahore and across Pakistan.
According to media reports, the collections will be digitised in phases so that students, scholars and researchers can access them online more easily.
The government initially allocated Rs 1 billion for the e-library project. Out of this amount, Rs 478 million has already been approved through the PC-1 process, while the remaining administrative approvals are still in progress.
Once completed, the project is expected to significantly improve digital access to rare academic resources and strengthen research facilities in the country.
Director General of Libraries Punjab viewed
Kashif Manzoor, Director General of Libraries, Punjab, said that the Quaid-i-Azam Library is not only one of the most important reference and research libraries in Lahore, but also in the entire country of Pakistan. In addition to its physical collection, the library already provides access to millions of online research resources.
He explained that the building currently used for the library originally served as a gymnasium. In 1984, it was converted into a regular library and opened to the public.
The library also contains many rare scholarly collections, including books published in the 19th century in the subcontinent. As a reference and research library, it is widely used by scholars, students, and researchers.
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