The Library is the focal point of PIIA activities, especially those related with international affairs. The Library remains open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on week days and is fully made use of by university and college teachers and students, foreign visiting scholars, journalists, TV and Radio commentators, research scholars from Sindh, Punjab and other provinces, visiting Pakistani and foreign students studying at foreign universities, government officials, members of the armed forces, etc. The Library has a fine up-to-date collection of books on international affairs (perhaps the best in Pakistan on the subject). From a collection of 3615 books in 1947 (Pakistan's share of the divided holdings of the IIIA), the number of books in the Library has now risen to over 35,000. It receives about 160 journals from Pakistan and from all over the world and maintains files of many of them. It maintains a newspaper clipping section of leading newspapers arranged under geographical and subject headings, The Library has a modest but growing microfilm collection, and a collection of rare books, documents and newspapers.

The Library Staff deals with research enquiries everyday and provides information to those seeking it.

The Library is headed by a professional Librarian and assisted by professional staff. Details are as under:
Library
 
Books

Over 35,000 books (including bound volumes of Newspapers and Journals).

Newspapers Clipping Files
Clipping Files (Subject-wise and Area-wise) since 1955

Bound Volumes of Newspapers
DAWN since 1948 and other Newspapers.

Library Maintains a Rare Collection of Books and Periodicals
Some of PIIA Library Rare Collection:

THE COMRADE, 1911, 1912, 1913 edited by Mohammad Ali (Jauhar).

HAMDARD, 1913, edited by Mohammad Ali (Jauhar).

AL-HILAL, 1912-1914 Chief Editor; Abul Kalam Azad.

AL-BALAGH, 1915-1916 Chief Editor; Abul Kalam Azad.

TEHZIB-UL-AKHLAQ, 1312-1313 Hijra, edited by (Sir) Sayyid Ahmed Khan.

COMMONWEALTH, 1917, edited by Annie Besant

 

 
Rare Documents
  • Speeches of Quaid-i-Azam Mohamamd Ali Jinnah.
  • Speeches of Gopal Krishan Gokhale.
  • A speech delivered by Ghazi Mustapha Kemal: President of Turkish Republic, October 1927.
  • Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence.
  • Census of India, 1921. Volume: VIII, Part-1, Bombay Presidency.
  • The Imperial Gazetteer of India. Volumes I, II, III, IV, V, VII, XXIV, XXVI.
  • Constituent Assembly of Pakistan Debates: Official Reports 1948 and onwards.
  • National Assembly of Pakistan Debates: Official Reports.
  • League of Nations: Treaty Series, Volumes: I - 205.
  • United Nations: Treaty Series, Volumes I - 2163.
  • Keesing's Contemporary Archives, 1931-2004. Volumes: 1-50.
  • Keesing's Record of World Events. See: Keesing's Contemporary Archives.
  • The Transfer of Power 1942-7: Constitutional Relations between Britain and India. Volume: 1-12.
Reference Material
  • The New Encyclopedia Britannica 15th ed. 1991.
  • The Encyclopedia America 1962 ed.
  • Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences 1950 ed.
  • Encyclopedia International 1970 ed.
  • Great Soviet Encyclopedia 1970 ed.
  • Grolier Encyclopedia 1959 ed.
  • Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics 1964 ed.
  • Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations 1971 ed.
  • The Canadian Encyclopedia 1988 ed.
  • The Encyclopedia of Islam.
  • Lands and People: The World in Colour 1959 ed.
  • Reader's Digest Library of Modern Knowledge 1978 ed.
  • Constitutions of Nations 1965.
  • The Times Atlas of the World 1992 ed.
Library Rules
  • PIIA Library basically is for the members’ use.
  • Membership of the Institute will be considered on a written request. Membership forms can be obtained from the Librarian.
  • Membership fee is charged according to the financial year (i.e. 1st July to 30th June).
  • Non-members may be allowed to use library facilities temporarily on submission of written application in the name of the Secretary, PIIA, submitted to the Librarian or Assistant Librarian.
  • The Library is not a lending Library, it is only for reference purpose.
  • Personal books are not allowed in the Library.
  • Authorities are not bound to provide photostat of any material, however, arrangements can be made for the purpose at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Photostat of Clipping Files is not allowed at all.
  • Marking on books or any other Library material will be taken seriously.
  • Smoking or eating etc. in the Library is strictly prohibited.
  • Loud discussion is not allowed.
  • Administration has the authority to check anyone's bag, brief case etc. at the time of entrance / departure, for security purposes.

Library Timings: 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 noon; 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY CLOSED

 

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