Treasure trove: PU Library completes 142 years

LAHORE:

The central library of the Punjab University has turned 142 years old. It has 1.2 million books and 65,000 e-books in its collection.

In a statement issued on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Mujahid Kamran said that the library had been established in 1873. “At that time, it had only 2,000 books in its collection,” he said.

Kamran said the books in the original collection had been purchased from Sir Donald McLeod.

The vice chancellor said that the library was now equipped with a state-of-the-art computers laboratory. He said the library premises had Wi-Fi coverage.

“High speed internet is available for students free of cost at the main library,” he said.

Kamran said around 10,000 books were added to the library’s collection last year,” he said.

Kamran said that the library catalogue was available on the university website.

Chief Librarian Haseeb Ahmad Piracha said people should donate their personal collections to the library. “This will benefit the students. The library has one the best collections of books and other important printed material in the country,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2015.