PANJIM: The first thing you experience when you enter the sixth floor of the Central Library is not a feeling of awe and wonder, though you are in the midst of precious, rare and old books.
Instead, it is the warm air that hits you, which ironically spells doom for these fragile and centuries-old books. This one-of-a-kind collection is a treasure trove of ancient history that requires to be preserved in a controlled environment, but is currently not receiving that treatment.
With no central cooling, the aluminium ceiling above the library certainly doesn’t help improve the situation given that the books face the risk of deterioration.
The air-conditioning (AC) system on individual floors has not been working for a considerable period of time, and from the fourth floor and upwards (Rare Books and Goan History section) erratically for a couple of years.
The stop-gap arrangements of placing standing fans on the floors or opening windows aren’t the solution either.
Although, the Panjim-based library touts itself as a premier library in India, it is customary for old books to be preserved in cool and controlled temperatures so as to sustain and protect them.
“In other countries, the air-conditioning is maintained according to the need of books, sometimes it being cold people visiting the libraries complain. But they are told that they can easily wear sweaters or warm clothes but the cooling and uniform temperature is vital for maintaining these books. This concept appears to be lost here as the need for a fully-functioning AC system is seen as an unnecessary luxury comfort for the people and not the books thus, they are not given the priority it deserves,” said a concerned citizen who is worried about the fate of the books.
The ‘Rare Book Section’ includes books published in Goa, which prides of having the first printing press in Asia (1556), that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
It also stores manuscripts, codices and imprints in Portuguese, Castilian, Latin, Tamil, Ceylones, Canary and Konkani as well as pre-liberation bound newspapers & Journals published in Goa.
Research scholar, Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues, who is an expert in this field, was one of those who emphasised on the importance of the survival of the old collection.
She gave the example of the books for local history and periodical history of Goa, the later with more than 161 titles and many with first issues, while some are available only in the library.
“Without the right uniform temperature, the paper will crumble. Utmost care has to be taken. There are books with leather binding, gold lettered print and handmade papers unlike the papers of today,” she added.
Other research scholars also felt that the fans that have been kept on the floor can be counterproductive, as when books are usually kept open and under the fan, often the pages start flying and get damaged. In this case, the pages of these old books are brittle and can tear.
When Herald contacted the authorities, they insisted that they are taking all the proper care when it comes to the handling of these books.
“We are working towards the air-conditioning issue. Maybe by March it will get resolved. In the meantime, we are looking after these books carefully. We have restricted access to the public and have a high-tech book conservation laboratory, where these books are being treated,” Sulaksha Kolmule, who is currently in charge of the library, told Herald.
While the treatment process is time consuming and only a few can be taken at a time, the authorities reiterate that they are monitoring the condition of the books.
Kolmule also pointed out that windows had been kept open so that there is ventilation and air in the room.
It is to be noted that such a practise is avoided in world class libraries, as outside air not only contributes to temperature and humidity changes; but it also could contain dirt and dust, which could have a detrimental effect on the books.
When asked why there has been such a long delay with restoring the AC system, Kolmule explained that there are parts in the AC system that need repairs.
Asked about what steps are being taken to see that there is no constant breakdown in the future, Kolmule said that a new agency is being appointed. She further stated that after all the codal formalities are completed, this agency will be given an annual maintenance contract to ensure that the AC functions sans any hitches.
Against that backdrop, there have been suggestions for the authorities to go for a fully air-conditioned AC plant for the entire building, which will help to overcome this problem.