Public libraries in Lahore are a crucial part of the city’s cultural and educational landscape. They aim to provide access to books, periodicals, and other materials for people of all ages. They play an important role in promoting literacy, lifelong learning, and community engagement.
Besides, these libraries are accessible to everyone, regardless of income or background. With a rich history and a wide range of services and resources, public libraries in Lahore are an essential part of the city’s infrastructure. Also, they help to ensure that everyone has access to the information and resources they need to grow and succeed.
So, if you are an avid reader and a big fan of reading books, you might want to visit these libraries. For that purpose, Graana.com brings you a complete list of all the popular libraries in Lahore.
| Library Name | Address | Phone Number | Timing |
| Punjab Public Library | Library Rd, Anarkali Bazaar Lahore, Punjab 54000 | (042) 99211649 | Tuesday 8 am–8 pm Wednesday 8 am–8 pm Thursday 8 am–8 pm Friday 8 am–8 pm Saturday 8 am–7 pm Sunday – Closed Monday 8 am–8 pm |
| Quaid-e-Azam Library | Bagh-e-Jinnah, The Mall Lahore, Pakistan Lahore | (+92) 42 99203371 | Tuesday 8 am–8 pm Wednesday 8 am–8 pm Thursday 8 am–8 pm Friday 8 am–7 pm Saturday 8 am–8 pm Sunday – Closed Monday 8 am–8 pm |
| Dyal Singh Trust Library | H89C+RHW, Nisbat Rd, Qila Gujar Singh, Gawal Mandi, Lahore, Punjab, Gawalmandi, Lahore, Punjab 54000 | (+92) 427229483 | Monday to Friday / 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Defence Public Library | Street No. 38, “Z” Block Phase – III, DHA, Lahore. | + 92-42-35734031. | Tuesday 9 am–5 pm Wednesday 9 am–5 pm Thursday 9 am–5 pm Friday – Closed Saturday 11 am–7 pm Sunday 11 am–7 pm Monday 9 am–5 pm |
| Lahore Museum Library | H895+93H, Anarkali Bazaar Lahore, Punjab 54000 | +92-42-99211819 | Tuesday 8 am–4 pm Wednesday 8 am–4 pm Thursday 8 am–4 pm Friday 8 am–4 pm Saturday – Closed Sunday – Closed Monday 8 am–4 pm |
| University of Punjab Library | Quaid-i-Azam Campus, 54590, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, University of the, Quaid-i-Azam Campus, Lahore, Punjab | 092-42-99231126 | Tuesday 8 am–8 pm Wednesday 8 am–8 pm Thursday 8 am–8 pm Friday 8 am–8 pm Saturday 8 am–8 pm Sunday – Closed Monday 8 am–8 pm |
| Abroo Barkat Hussain Public Library | Atta Buksh road, Rohi Nala, ahead of Ashyana, Lahore, Farid Kot, Lahore, Punjab | (042) 35923065 | Tuesday 8 am–6 pm Wednesday 8 am–6 pm Thursday 8 am–6 pm Friday 8 am–6 pm Saturday 8 am–6 pm Sunday – Closed Monday 8 am–6 pm |
| Children’s Library Complex | 4 Shahrah Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat, G.O.R. – I, Lahore, Punjab 54000 | (042) 99200244 | Monday 9 am–3 pm Tuesday 9 am–6 pm Wednesday 9 am–6 pm Thursday 9 am–6 pm Friday 9 am–6 pm Saturday 9 am–6 pm Sunday 12–6 pm Monday 9 am–3 pm |
Punjab Public Library
It was founded in November 1884 and is one of Lahore’s major public libraries, where several people go to study and learn about various topics. The library’s collection consists of books, Urdu Novels, journals and newspapers, reports, and old issues of the newspapers.
Most of these were published in Punjab, Pakistan, and united India, in addition to over 1500 manuscripts. The Punjab Public Library of Lahore is located on Library Road, off Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, in the centre of the city of Lahore, next to the Lahore Museum.
Quaid-e-Azam Library
One of the best-run libraries, complete with contemporary amenities, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is honoured by the name “Quaid-e-Azam Library” for the library. It is situated in the most well-known gardens in Lahore, which the British called “Lawrence Gardens.”
After Pakistan’s independence, it took the name Bagh-e-Jinnah (Jinnah’s Garden). As a result, this library is also named after Jinnah. 125,000 books in English, Urdu, Arabic, and Persian are available at the library. Moreover, it can accommodate 250 readers at once.
Researchers can also access a sizable collection of rare documents, journals, books on commercial real estate investing, and newspaper microfilms.
Also kept up to date are 130 topic-specific newspaper clipping files. Research academics, students, and the general public can access computerised cataloguing, reading, and research services over the internet.
Dyal Singh Trust Library
Dyal Singh Majithia, a prominent son of Punjab in the late 19th century, founded the Dyal Singh Trust Library in Lahore in 1908. He moved the Library to its current structure from his residence, where it originally started and continued to flourish. In 1947 it was closed due to the Trustees’ relocation.
Later on, during the year 1964, the Pakistani government’s Evacuee Trust Property Board took over administrative control and re-opened the Library, making it one of Lahore’s largest and best public libraries. Moreover, the Library has published 108 volumes, including the “Minhaj” Journal, on various aspects of Islam.
Defence Public Library
Defense Public Library (DPL) aims to become a vital center that serves and represents the community. It associates with The Guardian, Stratfor (Strategic Forum, USA), National Digital Library, American Library Association, and Higher Education Commission.
In addition, during the year 2000, the library established itself with 50,000 books and 5,000 patrons. It offers 25 computers for users and employs 13 personnel.
Lahore Museum Library
Established in 1894, the Lahore Museum Library is one of the oldest and most famous libraries in Lahore. The library is located within the Lahore Museum and has a collection of over 90,000 books, journals, and manuscripts on a wide range of subjects, including art, archaeology, history, and culture.
The library also has a collection of rare and valuable manuscripts, some of which date back to the 16th century.
University of Punjab Library
The University of the Punjab Library is a significant institution in Lahore. Founded in 1882. It serves the students and faculty of the University of the Punjab, as well as scholars and researchers from around the world.
The library has a collection of over 700,000 books, journals, and other materials. Also, it provides access to electronic databases and other digital resources.
Abroo Barkat Hussain Public Library
To help the local community and pupils at the Aabroo Welfare School, the Abroo Barkat Hussain Public Library was established in 2005. Both the library and the school strive to educate impoverished pupils.
To ensure they have the best learning opportunities, memberships are automatically given to all Aabroo Welfare School students.
Children’s Library Complex
The Children Library Complex (CLC) is another one of the most popular libraries in Lahore, which was founded in 1988. The goal was to provide children ages 4 to 14 with educational, recreational, and sporting facilities.
The Punjab government’s CLC initiative, which cost about Rs. 281 lacs and was built over an area of 75 Kanal, is an innovative and fruitful endeavour for the welfare of children.
In addition to these libraries, Lahore also has a number of community libraries. These libraries are often smaller in scale and focus on providing access to information and educational resources for underprivileged communities.
They are often run by NGOs and other non-profit organisations. and provide a valuable service in areas where access to information and learning resources is limited.
This was a comprehensive list of all the popular libraries in Lahore. For more relevant information, such as list of libraries in Islamabad and top online bookstores in Pakistan, visit the Graana blog.
