Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences has established 4 libraries of various specialties within the premises of this Institute to educate the doctors, postgraduate residents and clinical staff for effective patient care. Keeping in view the importance of reading materials we are in a view that the standard of medical facilities can not only be raised through sophisticated equipment, high standard drugs but also through professional skills and best know how of medical sciences by the doctors and other professionals. This can be achieved only through new ideas and techniques enshrined in the books and journal acquired by the institution’s libraries. With these aims PIMS libraries are providing manuals electronic facilities not only to our own doctors and researchers, but also to our clientele throughout the country, readers from various hospitals of Rawalpindi/Islamabad and doctors from NWFP are provided reference materials by our libraries.

The PIMS libraries are providing internet and Medline facilities free of charges to all the doctors and students and are connected with inter library loan (ILL). Our libraries remain open in three shifts. About 30,000 books and 50 journals of all specialties are being subscribed on regular basis. In addition to these 50 local journals are being received on complementary basis.

PIMS library was established in 1986 in its present place and less than 100 books were available and very few readers were consulting the facilities and by the passage of time its readers, materials and requirements are being increased manifold. Now the books have increased about 10,000. The total strength of PIMS was 2451 and which has now become 3241. This includes 568 Nurses, 240 doctors, Paramedics 296, Postgraduate Residents 427, House Officers 168 and 1542 Ancillary Staff .In future the strength will be increased as various new projects like Medical Tower, Cardiac Centre, Liver Transplant and Burn Centre are in progress.

Library Timings

The library extends its services in three shifts i.e. Morning, Evening and Night from Monday-Saturday. Sunday and in Gazetted holidays its closed.

Timings

Monday to Friday                     8.00 AM    to  12.00 PM

Saturday                                8.00 AM    to   10.00 PM

Sunday                                  Closed

Books 

Our library provide latest editions of medical books to our doctors and P.G. Residents and on demand the books of their request are arranged subject to availability of fund.

Journals

We have been receiving about 22 foreign journals of all specialties and about 10 local journals in our library  Beside this seven journals are also being received through WHO on complimentary basis.

Newspapers

10 leading newspapers are being subscribed for library users.

Automation of Library

The library material is being automated on a software programme called (LIMS) Library Information Management Services. The programme has fully capacity to run affairs of library like issue, receipt searching, accounting and management etc., and by the end of December, 2008 we will be able to automate 100% and run the library affairs..

Photo Copying Services

Library provides Photo copying facilities through private vendor on payment basis.

Reference Services

Articles of journals for our doctors and postgraduate Residents are arranged on request from various libraries of the country and abroad.

Space

The library has 2000 sq. ft. place which is insufficient and need to expansion. It is planned that the library will be shifted to its new building in 2007.

Inter Library Loan

All the PIMS libraries can get library material from sister concern libraries on Inter Library Loan basis.

Internet Services

Internet services are being provided to all members, readers and users of library free of cost. For such purpose the fastest speed of Direct Satellite Link (DSL) has been provided by our HMIS Department.

Library Committee

To run affairs of PIMS library smoothly PIMS has constituted a Library Committee of comprising on Senior Consultants who advises for betterment of libraries from time to time. Major purchase is made after consultation from all Heads of Clinical, Surgical and allied.

E-Journals

To fulfill the increasing demand of our doctor/students we have approached to HEC to get access for 20,000 E-journals available on their Web Site. No sooner did the IP is available, the access will be available in all libraries of PIMS. Moreover, Rippah International University has also offered to access on their Websites for more 20,000 e- journals.

Establishment of Digital Library

It is planned to establish a Digital Library in PIMS. The material is being collected gradually and we shall soon facilitate our clientele.

Cooperation with Twin Cities Libraries

PIMS library extending cooperation with all Medical Libraries of twin cities to provide reference services to our readers on mutual cooperation basis.

Future Plan

In future the seating capacity, internet facility will be increased. Moreover, new journals will be added.