Library
Library Services & Collections
Housed in a landmark building shaped like a ship at the centre of the campus, the Central Library of the University of Karachi was founded in 1952 and renamed in 1975 in honour of former Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mahmud Husain. Chief Librarian: Ms. Malahat Kareem.
The library holds a collection of more than 350,000 books, plus a comparable number of bound volumes of research and scientific journals and periodicals. It also holds UNO depositary centre status.
A rare books and manuscripts collection of roughly 6,000 volumes dating to the 16th century, including the personal book collections of 46 scholars and writers — most notably the personal library of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, together with original photographs, letters and posters from the Freedom Movement.
Yes. The LEJ National Science Centre houses one of the largest digital libraries on campus, with the capacity to support researchers, scientists and students, and fully operative video conferencing facilities.
The library's microfilm section holds copies of rare manuscripts from the British Museum, the India Office Library, and the Bodleian and Cambridge University libraries.
Yes — alongside the Central Library, every academic department at the University of Karachi maintains its own seminar library equipped with the books needed for its courses.
A highlight of the library is the personal book collection of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, many volumes carrying his own signature, stored in the original antique book cabinets received as part of the collection, alongside copies of the All India Muslim League papers.
The library can be reached at librarian@uok.edu.pk or via the university's main exchange at (9221) 9926 1300-7.
