Kathmandu: British poet Walter Savage Landor once aptly noted, "Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library." Libraries, often regarded as shared havens of knowledge, offer a sense of joy to many. They are considered repositories of history, serving as universities for citizens. With the advent of information technology, libraries have undergone a transformation from their traditional forms to digital ones.

Historical Evolution: From Clay Pots to Libraries

The historical evolution of libraries can be traced back to ancient civilizations like the Sumerians and Mesopotamians. These early cultures conveyed their thoughts and feelings through pictorial scripts, recorded on mediums such as clay pots, wax, animal hides, and bamboo sticks. The roots of modern libraries can be found in the collections of these ancient texts.

Library development and expansion took significant strides in the 19th century, coinciding with the reawakening and establishment of libraries in European countries. In Nepal, the practice of maintaining dedicated spaces for book storage, known as "Saphu rooms," started during the Malla era. King Bhupatindra Malla initiated this practice, amassing 1,190 books during his reign between 829 and 837 BS (Bikram Sambat).

During the rule of King Girvan Yuddha Bir Bikram Shah in 1869 BS, an employee was appointed to oversee materials acquired after Prithivi Narayan Shah's conquests during the unification of Nepal. The historical significance of libraries in Nepal is underscored by the observance of National Library Day, which has been celebrated since 2065 BS.

The Shift to Digital Libraries: An Imperative Need

In today's era of information and technology, the imperative is to make existing libraries more technology-friendly and transition them into digital repositories. Bhola Kumar Shrestha, a library advocate, emphasizes the necessity of embracing digital libraries. He suggests that while traditional libraries should not be abandoned, they should undergo digital transformation, with the government prioritizing this transition.

In the fiscal year 2023/24 budget of the Government of Nepal, there is mention of strengthening libraries like the Keshar Library, Nepal National Library, and Dilliraman Kalyani Regmi Memorial Library, along with the digitization of their book collections. Additionally, the provinces and local levels will be encouraged to establish, run, and manage libraries.

Government-owned libraries are currently facing various challenges, including inadequate facilities. For instance, the Nepal National Library has been temporarily relocated to Sanothimi, Bhaktapur, following the 2015 earthquake's damage to its original building in Pulchowk, Lalitpur. Delays in constructing a new library building in Jamal, Kathmandu, further exacerbate the situation.

Yadav Chandra Niraula, Chief of the Library Coordination and Documentation Section within the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, stresses the need to make all libraries digital for readers' convenience. He emphasizes that books should now reach readers in the digital age.

The Way Forward: A National Book Policy

To address these challenges, Nepal needs a comprehensive national book policy. In 2072 BS, a task force was established under the leadership of the litterateur Hari Gobinda Luitel to formulate such a policy. The task force recommended the establishment of the National Book Council. While proposals for implementing the task force's report have been submitted to the Council of Ministers, the process has faced delays due to changes in government leadership.

Niraula highlights the importance of a library act to complement existing policies and directives. Article 51(h)(4) of Nepal's Constitution guarantees the establishment and promotion of community information centers and libraries for the personality development of citizens.

Rajendra Prasad Pandey, General Secretary of the Nepal Community Library Association, calls for effective management of laws, policies, and book policies at all government levels. He laments that library grants are often distributed based on political interests rather than the efficiency and services provided by libraries.

In the field of library science, Nepal has made strides over the last 30 years. Library and Information Science courses have been introduced at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with the Central Department of Library and Information Science at Tribhuvan University playing a pivotal role. This academic progress has produced professional librarians, contributing to the operation of over 300 public libraries out of a total of 928 in Nepal.

As Nepal continues to evolve in the digital age, libraries stand at the intersection of tradition and technology. The transformation of libraries from clay pots to digital repositories is not only essential but also an opportunity to make knowledge more accessible and relevant to the digital generation. -RSS