How Is Pakistan’s National Library Preserving Knowledge Digitally?

Hina Durrani

Islamabad: Once known primarily for its vast physical archives, the National Library of Pakistan has reinvented itself in recent years, opening new horizons for readers and researchers through modern digitization initiatives.

Founded in 1951, the library has long served as the country’s premier knowledge resource centre and a cornerstone for the development of libraries nationwide. Its mission is not only to preserve the nation’s literary heritage but also to cultivate a knowledge-based society through rich collections and quality services.

In an exclusive conversation with APP, Director General of the National Library, Yasir Arfat, revealed how the institution has transitioned into the digital age. “The tender regarding the digitization of the library’s newspaper and rare books collection was initiated in December 2018 under a PSDP project. Work formally began in 2019 and was completed in 2021, with an allocated budget exceeding Rs 42 million,” he shared.

The project’s impact has been transformative. Using DSpace software, the library has successfully digitized newspapers spanning 1968 to 2015, along with 11,000 rare books and 580 manuscripts. To ensure sustainability, a dedicated Digitization Section has been established, staffed with experts who maintain the system and guide visitors in navigating the software for research purposes.

Looking ahead, the library envisions building a smart digital library to further modernize services and expand access to knowledge resources. Notably, the Chinese Embassy has expressed interest in establishing a state-of-the-art digital corner within the library, designed to foster technological innovation, cultural exchange, and closer Pakistan-China ties.

The DG also announced plans to launch a fellowship programme for writers and researchers, enabling them to engage in scholarly work using the newly digitized resources. “The DSpace software will be immensely helpful for them in acquiring the data,” he emphasized.

However, the journey has not been without challenges. The library currently relies on an outdated book scanner that falls short of today’s digitization standards. To bridge this gap, an MoU has been signed with the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), which is procuring a specialized newspaper scanner. This equipment will enhance the library’s capacity to scan, store, and preserve valuable newspaper archives.

The digital shift has already started to make a difference for regular visitors. Rahat, an M.Phil student and frequent library user since 2018, recalled the difficulties of manually combing through books for thesis references.

“After the digitization, collecting data from old books has become much easier. I only need to give commands to the DSpace software, and it extracts the required material within minutes. Daily tasks have become much simpler than before,” he said.

For students, researchers, academics, and innovators, this transformation has turned the National Library into more than just a repository of books—it has become a modern hub of knowledge, where centuries-old manuscripts meet cutting-edge technology.