Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu

The word “library” as known today was not used in ancient times. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “library” was used in English as early as 1374, as a place where books were kept for reading, study or reference. With time, library became an indispensable organisation for educated and civilised society.

The word comes from the Latin word liber for “book”. However, library contains a variety of materials. Contemporary libraries not only maintain collections that include printed materials such as manuscripts, books, newspapers and magazines, but also art reproductions, films, sound and video recordings, maps, photographs, microfiches, CD-ROMs, online databases, etc.

Different types of libraries serve different needs. The earliest known body of written materials was assembled in Mesopotamia (in present-day Iraq and Syria) more than 5,000 years ago. Ever since, cultures have established libraries whenever social, political and economic developments have enabled them to record and collect knowledge.

In Asia, the earliest documented libraries were connected with temples and centres of religious learning. Those libraries developed primarily in the period that roughly corresponds to the European Middle Ages. In most countries, religious libraries co-existed with royal and court libraries, but all libraries were restricted to just a few users.

China had already produced its first catalogue of library collections and had developed a standardised classification scheme. After a period of decline, Chinese libraries steadily expanded. However, military threats from Western nations and the Opium Wars (1839-1842, 1856-1860) periodically diverted attention from library development. China first began to establish public libraries in the early 20th century, but when Japanese troops occupied the country from 1937-1945, these libraries lost 2.7 million volumes, almost half of China’s total stock.

In Nepal, ancient inscriptions written about king Man Dev, Ansubarma and king Jaya Dev indicate that the Sanskrit education was provided even during sixth-eighth century AD. The rulers of ancient times had keen interest in reading, writing and collecting books and

manuscripts, which are evidenced by the collection of manuscripts available in the National Archives of Nepal in Kathmandu.

There were places for the repository of untold treasurer of manuscripts on tantra, philosophy, Sanskrit grammar, astrology, rituals, religion, medicine and Vedic literature. Those sources were preserved in Buddha viharas, mathas, gompas, temples and chaityas. Hence, Nepal can be called a country with ancient library traditions.

After victory over the Malla kings of Kathmandu valley in 1768, Prithvi Narayan Shah tried to manage some manuscripts and books too. Collecting books from Bhaktapur, Patan, Gorkha, Baise and Chaubise rajya, he developed a big library in Hanumandhoka Durbar in 1770.

During the regime of King Griban Yuddha Bikram Shah, pundit Kedar Nath was the in-charge of the Pustak Chitai Tahabil Library in 1812. Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana shifted all the books and manuscripts to the upper floor of the Thapathali Durbar School Library from Hanumandhoka in 1874. He set up an office called Munshikhana and Jaishikotha to preserve the books and manuscripts.

Around 1930 some active youth tried to open a public library with the permission of the government. The application was prepared with the signature of around 45 youth to get an approval from the government. This was informed to the Rana prime minister by Ram Chandra Adhikari, a member of the signature campaign. All the youth were arrested. Few of them were jailed. In addition, few were fined Rs 100 per person. This event is known as “Library Parba” in the history.

However, some libraries were established before the end of the Rana regime. Bir Library, Kaiser Library and Singha Library were the example of private libraries. At the same time, some other youth also tried to establish public libraries. Book Reading Veranda, renamed Dhawal Library in 1947, the first public library of Nepal, was established in 1936 in Palpa by some young and energetic people — Ambika Prashad Lakaul, Ayoddhya Prashad Pradhan, Madhev Prashad Devkota and Guru Prashad Mainali. Lakaul provided most of the books and place for the library.

Only 25 libraries were established before 1950. Some of them are still providing services while some are closed. After democracy, the public library establishment trend has been growing. In 1957, the government established the Nepal National Library with the slogan of “The bridge to knowledge and learning”.

In the age of information, people are flooded with information from different kinds of technology and media. Readers’ interest and attitude have changed. Library users have shifted towards new media of communication due to lack of proper management and promotion.