Unexploited treasure of knowledge (Best Librariers of Nepal)

BY EKTA GHIMIRE

KATHMANDU, Aug 4 - Long, wide corridors with books shelved on either side. Majestic halls still alive with the grandeur of the palace that it once was. Life-size portraits from the Rana era still afresh. The ceiling itself, a work of art. Breezy windows with antique seats where you can actually read in peace.

Keshar Pustakalaya, the personal library and other artistic collections of Field Marshal "Kaiser" Keshar Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, is truly an oasis for bookworms in bustling Kathmandu City.

But how many have discovered this repository ? And how many have delved into its treasures?

The library, which boasts a collection of 50,000 books, is shrouded in pin-drop silence. Ironically, this has nothing to do with conscientious users minding their own business. Actually, only a few seem to have business here at all. According to Damodar Bhattarai, the chief librarian, there are hardly thirty or forty people who come to use the library in a day.

"Keshar Mahal, which houses Keshar Shumsher Rana�s precious collection, is one of the first personal libraries in Asia of this magnitude," claimed assistant librarian Durga Pathak. The majority of the books are in English and others in Nepali, French, Hindi, Newari as well as Bengali. The present library is looked after by the Ministry of Education and is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.From thousand-years-old manuscripts in different languages and books on history to the latest reading materials, encyclopedias, newspapers, reference texts and novels, Keshar Library has the amount of wealth that cannot be ignored. It would be a haven for any researcher or even for the regular bookworm in you.

Yet, many seem unaware of the vast library�s existence, and even fewer know that it is open for all and free of cost. Still fewer have bothered to explore this treasure-trove that Keshar Shumsher left us back in 1968. Partly because it lies obscured inside the imposing gate of the Ministry of Education, and partly because of the public�s distaste for any governmental property, the assets of the library are as good as unrealized.Bikram Subba, who was among the few patrons to be seen in the library said, "Keshar Shumsher has a fabulous collection on Ayurveda and the indigenous herbs found in our country. That�s what brings me here. It�s hard to find documentation on such overshadowed yet important subjects elsewhere."Bhattarai claims that the books are also being regularly updated, added and maintained with what little fund is available. A new cataloging of the books for easy browsing has also been done. They have recently installed a searchable computer database of the books in the library. Although the software is not of the standard expected, with a wee bit more effort and a couple of fixes, it could easily be fine-tuned, nevertheless.

The library does not have a book-borrowing facility though. "This may be another hiccup that has lessened its attraction," suggests Bhattarai.

Also, compared to the size of the library, the staffs are stretched too thin and searching for a book in this huge place would be like looking for a pin in a haystack. But that has somewhat improved with the introduction of the computerized search.

However, it is not just the library management to be put on focus. A library is fully functional only when both the patrons as well as the library management are proactive.

Bhattarai says, "There�s no use expanding the staffs or doing anything from our side unless the readers show interest. A lending-borrowing system could also be implemented if there�s a strong demand."In fact, Bhattrai welcomes readers� advisory and is ready to buy the kind of books thus recommended.Besides being a refuge for book lovers, Keshar Mahal is also a well-maintained museum. Even the sculptures, paintings (real art), live looking stuffed animal figures and Keshar Shumsher�s grandiose living room with a recently renovated and redesigned heritage garden make for interesting study subjects. It would also be a perfect place to bring children in their day-out."Sometimes people from far-off countries come here looking for a particular book they have only seen as photocopies elsewhere. There�re smiles on their faces when they find the originals here," recalls a staff member. However, the caretakers themselves seem oblivious to the value of the books stored here. And sometimes, it is the discernible visitors who take them away.Located just about 800 meters away from Keshar Library is the British Council Library, which harbors 13,000 British books � just one fourth of the number that Keshar Mahal holds. Ironically, it has a contrasting 4,400 members paying Rs. 800 each in fees to use the library resources.This is an indication that there are quite a few bibliomaniacs around looking for good archives of books to lay their hands and eyes on. Something must be done to attract and open their eyes to other library options available. And since Keshar Library is the oldest and richest personal hoard in Kathmandu open for public consumption, this is where a good beginning can be made, right in the heart of the bustling city.

Similar to Keshar Library is the fate of the Dilliraman-Kalyani Regmi Memorial Library at Lazimpat, not very far from Keshar Mahal. It also houses valuable books on history, philosophy, literature, Shakespeare�s plays, and later works such as "The God of Small Things" and "The Satanic Verses". The lane that leads to this hidden treasure is right opposite Hotel Shangri-La whereupon you have to follow the signs on the poles.The late Dr. Dilliraman Regmi, senior politician and Gandhi-Buddha devotee, has donated Rs. 80 million worth of books, land and housing which form the entire library, as estimated in the late 70s. Pashupati Adhikari, the chief librarian reckons that "Its value must�ve reached Rs. 320 million in today�s calculations."Perhaps it is time to adapt some features from modern libraries such as the British Council and American Center to improve access to the assets that we already have in our midst. Perhaps, too, collaborating with a foreign organization or country to fill up the technological gaps would be a good beginning.

It is heartbreaking to see such wealth of resources go unnoticed. We simply cannot afford to neglect what precious little �which is quite a lot already�we have. This calls for an effort from all concerned: the people to utilize, and lobby for improvements, the media to publicize and make people aware of such places, and the government or its counterparts to realize and do the needful.

http://www.kantipuronline .com/kolnews.php?&nid=154 82

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Friends For Peace Library in Nepal:-

FFP has a resource rich library . The Library has a large range of books, periodicals,magazines, journals, newspapers and reports on various issues related to conflict transformation, peacebuilding, strategic studies, war, terrorism, conflict and human rights . It is constantly being updated . A computerized databased has been installed in the library to facilitate easier access to the materials. The library has Internet and e-mail access for its users . It has also started a process of acquiring all the materials produced in Nepal concerning conflict, peace and human rights .

http://www.friendsforpeac e.org.np/print_library.ht m