Library And Information Service

The PIEAS library is primarily geared towards collecting books used in the various courses offered here. Multiple copies of heavily used textbooks are maintained for issuance to students for the duration of a semester. For much of the R&D needs, the library at PINSTECH is used as the basic resource. That library has a collection of more than 32000 books and subscribes to more than 120 technical journals. It also has more than 50,000 volumes of back issues of journals and nearly one million technical reports. It maintains connections to various international data centres including INIS, NTIS, BLDSC and EPO.

Procedures
Readers are expected to deposit all their bags, books, journals etc. at the counter while entering the Library. Readers are advised not to shelve the books but to leave these at the counter nearest table for the library staff to shelve these properly. New books are displayed on the new books shelves for a period of two weeks for the information of the readers. After this period the books are placed in their respective shelves in the Library.

Library Membership
All faculty members, fellows and staff are entitled to become member of PIEAS Library on filling up membership form duly signed by the Group Head. Members are expected to notify the Library about a long absence from PIEAS (for a period exceeding 3 three months) and return all library material. All those departing from PIEAS either permanently or for a period exceeding 3 (three) months must obtain clearance by returning all Library material.

Issue/Return
All library materials should be returned before the expiry of the due date so the time in serving reminders may be saved. In case a reminder is issued, books should be returned within 3 (three) days from the date of receipt of reminder, failing which further issuance of books will be stopped. A second reminder will be issued to the borrowers two weeks after the first with the remarks "if the books are not returned within 3 (three) days case can be initiated for cost recovery". Any material issued to any member will not be transferred to any other member without being returned physically to the library. A book urgently required by the Library must be returned to the Library within a day.

Books in the Reference Section
The reference section has been established to provide more equitable access to important books to all readers. During the major portion of the office hours these books are available for consultation in the library. Handbooks , Encyclopedias, Dictionaries and Theses etc. are kept in this section for reference. One copy of each most important book is kept in this section only for reference. (Reference books are not to be issued, except for over night use in special cases).

Issuance of Periodicals
One current issue of all journals shall remain in the PIEAS Library. At a time two unbound older issues of journal may be issued to all members for one week.

Daily Newspapers
Daily newspapers are placed in the Library. For providing maximum access to all members, the current issues of newspapers are not to be taken outside the Library. Older issues of newspapers may be issued to members for upto one day.

Replacement of Library Material
Borrowers will be responsible for safe custody of material issued to them and ensure that these are not marked, mutilated or damaged otherwise they will be liable to charged according to the extent of damage done. Any item lost by borrower must be replaced by a copy of the original edition or by depositing the current price (as calculated under the PAEC Library rules). Cheap edition will not be accepted as replacement for a book which itself was not a cheap edition

Acquisition of Books/Reports
The list of books and other technical material available with various book-sellers in the country and from abroad is circulated among the concerned faculty members. Faculty members give indents for the titles of their interest. Prices quoted by the suppliers are checked from "Books in Print " published by US Congress Library, which is an accepted reference for the purpose. After recommendation of Head I & PR Division, purchase approval is sought from the Competent Authority (Rector PIEAS) to place the supply order. Financial concurrence from Head, LAO is obtained for the purchase of books/ reports. Supply order is placed with the supplier. The order is either complied from supplier's ready stock or the supplier imports the books for the library. Upon receipt the books are accessioned in the Accession Register giving full bibliographical details of the book i.e. author, title, publisher, year of publication, place of publication, no. of pages, price, etc. Books are classified according to the subject. Two catalogue card for each book are prepared, one for author wise indexing and other for subject wise indexing. The particulars of the book are recorded on the catalogue cards such as author, title, edition, publisher, year of publication, place of publication, vol., price, etc. The cards are arranged alphabetically in the master catalogue cabinet. Two book cards for each book are prepared, author wise title wise, for up-to-date record of the books issued. The information about new arrival is entered in the library's computer database.

Subscription/Acquisition of Journals
The department or division heads recommend for subscribing the journals/periodicals for PIEAS Library. Invoices are called from local agents/publishers. A comparative statement is prepared and approval of Rector, PIEAS is sought for the lowest bid after which the journal is subscribed. Upon receipt, the journals are entered in "Journal Acession Register". The accession number is written on each copy of the journal. The Journals are displayed on their respective shelves. Copies of the old journals are bound in complete volumes and kept in separate stocks.

Arrangements with S.I.D. PINSTECH
Scientific Information Division of PINSTECH has the best technical information resources within PAEC. PIEAS takes full advantage of these resources because of close proximity. All PIEAS faculty members and fellows/students can become members of PINSTECH library upon recommendation of Rector, PIEAS. PIEAS Library can borrow books and other technical material from time to time from SID on inter-library-loan. S.I.D is connected to certain international scientific, information networks / databases such as INIS, BLD (British Library Lending Dept.) etc. PIEAS library members can use these services for various literature surveys and searches. The material, which cannot be got issued from PINSTECH library, can be got photocopied from SID. SID also arranges pre prints, reprints and reports for PIEAS from international sources. PIEAS agrees to share the cost for these services. SID offers various packages for such services and payments. PIEAS has adopted package-IV for the purpose.

Arrangements with other libraries
Although there is no formal agreement with any other library, however PIEAS library can obtain books, from any PAEC / non-PAEC Libraries in Pakistan on inter-library-loan basis on request from any of its members.