Goa's Central Library sans computers DIGITAL GOA TEAM
The Central Library of Goa, one of the most prestigious libraries in India and a treasure house of priceless information, is untouched by the Information Technology revolution. The apex library, which stores valuable data from the past, is still using the outdated methods in storing and retrieving the data in the absence of a single computer. The proposal for the computerisation of the library is caught in the red-tapism for almost a decade now. The successive governments' have shown scant regard towards modernising this biggest resource of information in the state. The idea of computarising the library was first mooted way back in the early 90's. Even the tender documents were prepared, which got rejected every time on the grounds of "no funds". Interestingly, the 11th Finance Commission has granted Rs. One crore towards the modernisation of the library. But the irony is that the library is still waiting for the approval from the government to utilize these funds to fulfill its dream of computerisation. In the absence of the computers, Central Library is still carrying out all its activities manually. The most useful contribution of computerisation in the Central Library would be in maintaining a comprehensive catalogues which can make data retrieval easier and faster. Facilities like key word search for the entire resource will prove to be a boon to the researchers and readers. Computerization of catalogue and indexing system would not only save lot of paper work but will also prove convenient to the users. Digitalisation of old data, especially the 16th and 17th century records which are the prized possession of this library, will save it for posterity. The microfilming of most of the old Goan collections of the local newspapers and journals is already completed and could be converted into CDs for easy accessibility. Various committees have also stressed the importance of computerisation in the Central Library time and again. The recent committee under the chairmanship of BJP President Laximikant Parsekar and Francis Fernandes, Bhushan Bhave, Tomazinho Cardozo and Dilip Betkikar as members had also recommended the government to "make available the computer facility even at the lowest level i.e. village library and taluka level libraries". The committee also recommended the use of computers in cataloguing the books and other material. However, all this had no impact on our policy makers and the prestigious Central Library of Goa is still continuing with the age old manual system much to the chagrin of library users especially researchers. ENDS ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Goa's first IT fortnightly - "digITal Goa" - Your Window to Goa's DigITal world. SUBSCRIBE NOW -- to avail introductory discount of 50 % -- at just Rs 120 for one year (24 issues) for individuals and Rs 160 for institutions. For subscription and advertising contact: (0832) 446609 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Office: Flat No. S-1, Bldg. No. 3, Merces Apartments, MERCES-GOA 403005. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
