THURSDAY, MAY 09, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday directed the State Librarian to file an affidavit disclosing the status of air conditioning at the Krishnadas Shama Goa State Central Library at Patto-Panjim and the steps taken for the protection and preservation of rare and old books housed in the library.
The court took suo motu cognisance of report in local newspaper raising concern over impact of non-functioning of the air-conditioners on rare and old books in the library. Books are old and they need to be protected. Books have to be maintained properly and scientifically.
The Court has asked the State Librarian to file an affidavit furnishing details and also timelines within which the work would be completed to stop the deterioration of the records in the library. The affidavit must state where and at what stage the files are pending and what the difficulties are to get the air conditioning repaired or replaced.
The affidavit must also indicate the timelines within which the works would be completed and the steps taken in the meanwhile to protect and preserve the rare old books, the Court order stated.
The Central library’s air-conditioners are not functioning for last more than two years thereby exposing old texts to severe damage. The air-conditioner system is important as the pages of old texts could otherwise turn brittle and start disintegrating in extreme humid conditions. The library is currently using about 50 pedestal fans to provide ventilation.
