4th February 2011
COMMUNICARE in co-operation with the Universidade de Aveiro, is
undertaking the cataloguing of all books connected with the history of
Goa, rest of India and the Orient, relating to Portugal. This will
involve bibliographic and location referencing. To proceed with this
enormous work, a resource person from the University of Aveiro, Ms.
Maria Lurdes Gonsalves, came to Goa and trained members of COMMUNICARE
as well as staff of the Central Library in Panjim, for 9 days in April
2009. The software and hardware needed for this project was also
provided by the University.
The Objectives of this project are as follows:
1) To safeguard the references of history, culture and literature of
countries in relation with Portugal. People having private libraries may
have some books that may not even be available in the Central Library or
Xavier Institute of Research. Quite often, when books have been read,
they either are loaned or borrowed to friends and acquaintances. Most of
these times, the books do not return to the owner they just disappear
and a whole treasure of information is thus lost;
2) The climatic condition in Goa is not conducive to books. We often
see precious books being given away to the 'radhiwala' as scrap, because
of the damaged condition of the books. Again, a whole treasure of
information is lost;
3) Some institutes which have rare collections, keep them solely for
reference.
4) By compiling bibliographic data and eventually at a later stage,
digitalizing of books which are out of print, the 'cataloging project'
will enhance researchers all over the world, who require references in
connection with the history, culture, literature of a country in
relation with Portugal.
Should a researcher require a book which is, for example, in your
private library, then he could request the co-ordinating institute to
organize a xerox of the same, for a price, provided the copyright rule
is not violated.
COMMUNICARE is trying to find such private library.
We need you help. If you have a library or you have friends and family
who have, please get back to us.
A COMMUNICARE member will come to your library with a laptop. No books
will be taken out of your library. All the input is to be done under
your roof. The same person will come to catalogue your books. He will
co-ordinate the days and time as per your convenience.
We would be most grateful if you could assist us in this venture of
preserving the written history, culture, literature of our state.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
for COMMUNICARE
Nalini Elvino de Sousa
(President)
