Lucknow University's Tagore Library needs Rs 9.48 crore for restoration

LUCKNOW: Fairing poorly on the infrastructure and human resources front, Lucknow University's Tagore Library may go for an overhaul. And, to set things straight, university administration via library officials have sought Rs 9.48 crore from the state government. The proposal was put up at the vice-chancellors meet held on December 12, 2012. 

According to LU authorities, the university plans to do digitisation, automation and equip the library with other modern facilities. One of the richest and biggest libraries in the country, LU's Tagore Library is seeking help. While the building is in a dilapidated condition, common room and reading halls remain vacant most of the times. The library still uses outdated computers that were bought more than a decade back. 

As per library officials, a sum of Rs 2.35 crore is required for server and browsing room, Rs 1.1 crore to purchase old journals that were discontinued two years back, Rs 1 crore for automation and training, Rs 10 lakh for Bar Code System, Rs 30 lakh for the stack room, Rs 12 lakh for CCTV camera system, Rs 20.5 lakh for fire safety and wiring and Rs 1.71 crore for annual maintenance, new books, and foreign journals. 

Besides, the university has also sought financial assistance of Rs 65 lakh for digitisation of the books. Deputy librarian Jyoti Mishra said that in the first phase, digitisation of 50,000 books will be done. "Under the process, we will get computerisation of books. An online catalogue of all the books will be created, so that it is easy to locate books," said Mishra. The university is also planning to get Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) technology. The RFID tags are used in libraries as theft detection systems. "Just like in a mall, there is a tag on every material to avoid getting it stolen, RFID tags will help in avoiding thefts of books," said Mishra. 

Preservation of manuscripts, arts gallery: Tagore library has a heritage section called manuscript section. It consists of about 2,000 rare and valuable manuscripts, which are on paper and palm leaves. These manuscripts are in Sanskrit, Pali, Arabic and Persian. Gold coated illustrations can be seen in some manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts are 600 to 800 years old. 

To preserve them, the university has begun the preservation work. According to university officials, as many as 30 manuscripts are already preserved. The work is being carried by INTACH. The university has received a sum of Rs 2 lakh from the National Archives of India, Union ministry of culture. "The major amount is being spent on preservation of manuscripts. But we need more funds," said Mishra. With this amount, 13 or 14 more manuscripts can be preserved. 

The work of restoration of library's arts gallery that has rare paintings and sculptors is being undertaken by National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property (NRLC). 

Times View 

It's really sad to see the state of the Tagore Library at Lucknow University. With its enviable collection, it was a place buzzing with scholars and students not very long ago. But, it's now a pale shadow of its past. crumbling cupboards and broken chairs hardly present an inspiring picture. Add to it the fact that the library hasn't purchased a single book in the past four years and journals in two years, and the picture turns even gloomier. This library doesn't belong only to the university but is an inseparable part of the city's heritage. It still has one of the richest collections of ancient manuscripts and rare books. It's the responsibility of not only the university administration but also the state government and LU alumni to ensure that this prized possession doesn't get destroyed by sheer neglect.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Lucknow-Universitys-Tagore-Library-needs-Rs-9-48-crore-for-restoration/articleshow/18054517.cms