About the Islamabad, Pakistan Office

The Islamabad Office of the Library of Congress supports Congress and the United States Government through its active acquisitions and cataloging program covering Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. The Office advances global research by acquiring research-level books, serials, videos, and sound recordings from the region for over fifty research libraries in the United States, Canada, and Europe under the Cooperative Acquisitions Program (CAP).

Recognizing the growing importance of global knowledge, the Library of Congress established the Special Foreign Acquisitions program in 1962. At the time Pakistan was included in the India program. In 1965, the growth of the Pakistan program combined with the deteriorating India-Pakistan relations necessitated the appointment of a Field Director to manage the Pakistan Program operating out of Karachi. In 1995, the office moved from Karachi to the capital city, Islamabad to ensure comprehensive coverage of government publishing.

The Islamabad Office acquires and catalogs materials in all formats -- monographs, serials, newspapers, DVD, and videos -- and all the languages of the region. The acquisitions librarians take advantage of their knowledge, expertise, and contacts to ensure comprehensive coverage of the region. A network of bibliographic representatives, calls to non-governmental organizations and government agencies, and exchange arrangement with numerous institutions ensure Congress, the U.S. Government, and research libraries have up-to-date resources to meet their information needs.