Public Libraries in Islamabad:
National Library of Pakistan
Islamabad Public Library
Quaid Public Library
Community Libraries
From astounding museums to world-class mosques, architecture in the Federal Capital of Pakistan ranges from awe-inspiring and contemporary masterpieces to classic and historic gems. However, the category of insta-worthy architecture are libraries in Islamabad that are often overlooked by visitors.
You don’t necessarily have to be a booklover to visit, cherish, and enjoy these literary buildings in the capital city. If you live in the capital and are currently in search of a peaceful environment to read a few books, or study or you have been looking for academic resources to prepare for exams and projects, or even just want to escape the hustle and bustle of tourist hotspots in the city – these libraries are perfect for you.
Let’s begin!
Must-Visit Public Libraries in Islamabad
The extensive list of modern and contemporary architecture is one of the best reasons for property investment in Islamabad. One such example in this regard are the libraries that doesn’t only serve as a precious resource, but they’re also the epitome of design and architecture. These buildings have majorly assisted in the development of culture and knowledge for several decades. Before the internet took over, these literary landmarks have served as the base for archives, written information, and free-of-cost multi-media.
Although the basic function of libraries in Islamabad is to provide a safe haven for books, documents, and manuscripts, these buildings also serve as a platform to research, work, learn, and contemplate for some.
That said, here are some note-worthy libraries in Islamabad:
- National Library of Pakistan
- Islamabad Public Library
- Quaid Public Library
- Community Libraries
National Library of Pakistan
The National Library of Pakistan (NLP) is one of the best libraries in the country. The library boasts a huge compilation of literary heritage and it functions as one of the best resources in Pakistan. Although it was constructed in the early 1980s, the final inauguration took place in 1993.
The structure of the library is spread over four different floors, and is centrally air-conditioned and heated. Library building has a basement level which serves as the platform for delivery of books, newspapers, and a telephone exchange.
Moving further, the main entrance to the library is on the ground floor where the reception, dining area, planning & research department, and preservation and conservation sections are situated.
The books in this library include manuscripts of rare books that aren’t widely available in the market. All the reading halls, meeting rooms, and seminar rooms are situated on the first floor while 14 research rooms are all situated on the second and last floor.
In addition to a traditional staircase, the building also hosts elevators that help people and books transport from one floor to another. The building comprises an auditorium that has a seating capacity of 400 spectators. Meanwhile, the reading halls have a total capacity of seating around 500 people.
The National Library of Pakistan was established to help youngsters and avid readers, so that they have a plethora of choices to study from history, science, and arts. The initiative was not just to preserve knowledge, but also circulate it amongst those that desire it the most. Anyone looking for peaceful time, while they study or just enjoy the leisure of reading – the National Library of Pakistan might just be the right place.
Even though the library is open to the public without any cost, people still choose to take advantage of all the collections and services by becoming a paid member by paying a minimal amount of PKR 300, which is only to be paid once. The membership is valid for a period of three years; after which you can either renew it for free within a month, or risk getting it cancelled and go through the registration process again.
Additional details for the National Library of Pakistan are provided below:
Address: Shahrah-e-Jamhuriat or Constitution Avenue, Sector G-5
Timings: Monday to Friday – 9 am to 6 pm | Saturday and Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm (for members only)
Islamabad Public Library
Any list about the most famous libraries in Islamabad is incomplete without the Islamabad Public Library. The library is considered as the second-best thing for students or anyone that is looking for a mayhem-less place to study and research while NLP is the first.
It is home to more than 30,000 books and is frequently visited by research students, scholars, CSS aspirants, or just individuals who want to read and complete their research work. Not to mention, the peace and quiet of the library will enable you to focus better. Even though the library is open to the public, you can only issue books once you get a membership card made, which is issued after paying a minimal fee of PKR 500.
The address and timings for Islamabad public library are as follows:
Address: 9th Avenue, Sector H-9/4, Islamabad.
Timings: Monday to Saturday – 9 am to 5 pm
Quaid Public Library
The Quaid Public Library – also referred to as the Aiwan-e-Quaid Library – is one of the most famous public libraries in the capital. The library caters to a number of age groups – the recent move of the Model Children’s Library into the same building has added a plethora of colours and vibrance to the library by the development of the Children’s section.
The library has a huge collection of library texts from various areas for students, researchers, and avid readers. The library offers memberships at minimal fees of PKR 300, and a refundable deposit of PKR 2,000. Afterwards, you can easily borrow books from the library.
It also hosts a number of events and recitals for the children’s section to provide an interactive learning experience for the little readers.
The details for the Quaid Public Library are as follows:
Address: Fatima Jinnah Park, Sector F-9
Timings: Monday to Saturday – 9 am to 4 pm
Other Community Libraries in Islamabad
As mentioned in our list, there are several public libraries in Islamabad.
However, the city is constructed in a manner that divides it into multiple sectors. There are several community libraries dotted across the capital city. Each of these libraries were built with the intention to provide a learning gateway to students and avid readers.
These libraries provide a safe, quiet, and secluded space for students to study where there are a number of research texts available for them to use as reference.
That said, here you will find the six Islamabad Community Libraries
- Colonel Sher Khan Road, F-11 Markaz, Sector F-11
- Khushal Khan Khattak Road, Sector G-7/3
- Street 10, Sector G-8/2
- G-11 Markaz, Sector G-11
- I-8 Markaz, Sector I-8
- Street 57, Sector I-10/1
Each of these community libraries are available to the public, and serve as the perfect spot if you’re keen on reading alone, or have a big test coming up.
In this blog, we’ve talked about a number of public and community libraries in Islamabad. Each of these libraries have been developed with a purpose to not only preserve knowledge, but also to help spread it amongst everyone who is willing to learn. Apart from these public libraries, there are several universities that have their own spacious libraries to aid students in the process of learning.
On a side note, if you’re new to the city, we have also shared a list of hospitals in Islamabad that you should keep in mind in case of emergencies and consultation.
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