Library and Information Science

History of library in Nepal-Public libraries slow to adapt to changing times

Some students find notes sufficient to pass their examinations. Other s prefer guides and guess papers to score good marks. They rely on such materials and avoid course books as much as possible. “But such practice only makes one dull,” said Baburam Dahal, chief of Dilliraman Kalyani Regmi Library. He said that for the in-depth knowledge and authentic information, one should consult reference books in addition to textbooks, and libraries are the best place for anybody who wants to acquire more knowledge on any subject. Library Plays great role in educating the society. A large number ofstudents still visit libraries for detailed knowledge. Many students cannot afford to buy different books on the same topic. Such students can visit a library and find books on many topics. They do not have to pay anything to read the books. Moreover libraries also provide proper environment to those who do not get an opportunity to read at home.

Dahal, however concedes that a lot of people in recent days have been opting for modern technologies to read books. Concept of digital libraries has been developed. That means people do not have to go to a physical library for information. They can get access to the library via Internet.

“If we ask a city kid how he solved his homework, he may reply, ‘I googled the answer’. He may not know he has learned to surf Internet,” he said. But not all the people in our country have access to proper technologies, therefore, library is still the best options for many.

Yadav Chandra Niraula, chief of National Library at Harihar Bhawan, said that libraries have the challenge to keep themselves updated and go digital, “ We have to change our roles, “ he said, adding, “In the past readers used to come to the library but now we should have to reach to them through the help of technology.” He said that the library also has the challenge to develop learning habits in the students.

Most of the libraries do not have capacity to reach to readers because of financial reasons. Niraula said that most of the traditional libraries are in a soffy state. Due to financial reasons and government apathy they have been struggling to survive.

Abhi Subedi’s craze for library

There were very few libraries in the country in our time, yet we did not have much option. Libraries were the only source of knowledge back then. In my early days, I used to go to the library in my school in Terathum. Some foreingers had donated books to our school library. They have donated several books, including Soviet-era novels. I studied most of them. I was habituated to visit a library form my shoool life.

After I went to Biratnagar, I used to frequent Krishn Library in the city. The library was very good at that time and had very good reading materials. I read all the books written by BP Koirala, and the books he had studied during his exile in India. He had donated those books to the library. I deeply studied the sentences underlined by him. Library gives knowledge of great people’s experience. I studied books about Marxism, anarchism, socialism and others written in English and in Hindi languages. The things I studied in that library have profound impact on me even today. I also used to read English papers published in India that were available in the library.

After, I came to Kathmandu, I enquired with people about the libraries. I started visiting the library at Lal Durvar, which was latewr shifted to the Central Library of Tribhuvan University (TU). That was a grand library. I got all the things I required to educate my mind from that library. Later on, the British Library became my second home. I used to spend a lot of time in that library. I used to go to the library to read western literatures.

Libraries made a great difference in my life. Today, what I am is an outcome of my habit of visiting libraries. I suggest all the students to develop the habit of visiting libraries. It broadens ones intellectual horizon and also helps to ones career. It enlightens us and motivates us to be good citizens. Students must read a lot of books to get proper knowledge. A single book is not sufficient to get detailed knowledge. Library also offers reference materials for students and researchers.

In recent days, concept of e-library has come, whereas old public libraries are not in good condition. Pepole can get information of general things form Internet, which is good. But I do not think it can displace the traditional libraries. For authentic and detailed information, traditional libraries are needed.

History of library in Nepal

It is supposed that history of Nepali library began during the reign of King Grivan Yuddha Bir Bikram Shah, some 145 years. Ago. It is said that King Prithivi Narayan Shah, founder of modern Nepal, had collected historical documents from the state he conquered, which were kept at his palace. Later, his great grandson Grivan Yuddha issued Royal Seal Act (lalmohar) to preserve important historical documents. From 1846 to 1950, the country was ruled by oligarchy dictatorship of Ran clan, which discouraged public education. In 1930 a group of youth, including Laxmi Prasad Devkota, sought permission to establish public library in Kathmandu with Rana regime, but they were changed with sedition. Some were released after paying Rs 100 and others were jailed for longer period.

Between 1950 and 1960, several public libraries were established across the country. In 1960, the then king took over the power and started ruling the country as an absolute monarchy. Public libraries were discouraged again. The exact number of libraries operating in the country is not known, but is estimated to be in the thousands.

Source: republica