MARGAO: The Margao Municipal Council has finally taken steps to protect its collection of centuries-old rare books, which hold a treasury of knowledge in the municipal library. However, despite warnings from a team of experts, approximately two thousand rare books have been neglected by the civic body.
Shockingly, even after the issue was brought to light by O Heraldo, the council resolution regarding the preservation of these important books has been gathering dust for nearly two years. It was only on August 12, 2022, almost a year after the visit by the experts led by Dr Carlos Fernandes, teacher in charge of the Department of Libraries and Information Science at Goa University, that the civic body finally passed a resolution to implement the experts’ suggestions and ensure the rare books are protected from dust and receive proper care.
In the past, these rare books were found exposed to dust, and unwanted materials, including uniforms of municipal workers, were discovered hanging on the cupboards where the books were stored. Reliable sources from the civic body confirmed that the Chief Officer recently approved the proposal, which was moved after Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar and Vice-Chairperson Dipal Sawal, who is also the chairman of the library committee, insisted on initiating the process.
Currently, the expedited process includes the purchase of glass cupboards for the preservation of rare books, portable dehumidifiers, installation of CCTV cameras, and the provision of adequate staff for the library, including a full-time librarian for one of Goa’s oldest libraries. According to Assistant Librarian Roshini Desai, there are over two thousand centuries-old and significant books, including several written in Portuguese on various subjects.
“I have been personally following up on this matter with higher-ups for the past few years. Now, Chief Officer Srinet Kothwale, Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar, and Vice-Chairperson Dipali Sawal have expedited the process,” Desai informed. She expressed hope that all the important suggestions provided by the experts would be implemented within the next three months.
“All proposals put forth by the assistant librarian have been approved. We expect that within the next month, everything will be in place to safeguard the centuries-old books in the municipal library,” stated the Chairperson. He also acknowledged that the preservation process should have been taken seriously much earlier. Vice-Chairperson Dipali Sawal added that she had personally taken an interest in ensuring the preservation of rare books.
