The library offers a diverse range of services tailored to facilitate research, enhance knowledge, and support its patrons in their scholarly pursuits. Here's a detailed breakdown of its offerings:     

 Current Awareness Services

• Provides links to selected research articles/studies from Indian and international think tanks, along with updates on newly acquired books through the Fortnightly FIRST Bulletin.
• Access to bulletin details via the library website. Database of Downloaded Articles/Reports/Monographs
• Maintains a database of important articles from subscribed newspapers and downloaded reports/monographs.
• Access available through Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC).
• Photocopying services available as per guidelines.

Reference Services

• Assistance in identifying and locating resources on and off-campus.
• Comprehensive support for factual and complex queries.
• Point-of-use instructions for OPAC access and search.
• Referrals to other libraries or information sources as needed.

Bibliographic Service

• On-demand bibliographies generated from the OPAC collection.
• Free of charge soft copy.
• Rs. 2/- per page for printed copy.
• Bibliographies tailored to specific topics provided on request.

Rare Books Collection

• Houses rare books, photographs, maps, prints, and artifacts with a focus on the Armed Forces and historical materials.
• Accessible for reference.

Indian Army List. Comprehensive collection of the Indian Army List (1890-1993, excluding 1960-1969).
USI Archive. Archive materials accessible for research and reference purposes.

New Additions

• New books displayed for a month to enhance awareness.
• New acquisition lists available on the library website.

Newspapers and Journals

• Subscribes to 71 periodicals/journals and 5 newspapers (national and international).
• Periodicals/journals are bound annually and preserved for reference.

Digitisation. Old volumes of the USI Journal have been digitized for preservation.
Inter-Library Loan Services

• Member of DELNET, connecting with 6,167+ libraries globally.
• Facilitates resource sharing through inter-library cooperation.

Photocopying Services

• Copying services available under Copyright Law and library rules.
• Charges apply for photocopies, excluding entire books.
• Photocopying charges Rs 1 per page till 30 pages. Rs 2 afterwards.

Internet Facility

• Internet and Wi-Fi available for members.
• Members can use personal laptops within the library premises.
• Printouts available at Rs. 2 per page.

USI Museum. Displays a treasured collection of medals, dating back to the East India Company campaigns, within the library hall.
Recommendations for Books/Journals. Members can suggest acquisitions via a recommendation sheet available at the counter.
Suggestion Register

• A register is maintained for members to propose improvements in library functioning.
• Suggestions are reviewed and acted upon by the Deputy Director and Editor/Director.

The Colonel Pyara Lal Memorial Library offers an integrated ecosystem of resources and services, making it an invaluable hub for defence and strategic studies.