Accessibility of Indigenous Knowledge in the College Libraries of Assam: An Analytical Study
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Date
2024-09-19
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
INFLIBNET Centre Gandhinagar
Abstract
Indigenous knowledge (IK) contains views, beliefs, traditions and practices followed by a
community or individual. This paper contains the views and initiatives of the college libraries
of Assam towards the preservation and dissemination of IK. The study shows that 62% colleges
have the collection of indigenous resources within their library. It indicates that most of the
college library procures Manuscripts (both Sanchipat and Tulapat). 68.60% of college
libraries have the collection of Sanchipat manuscripts. Some other indigenous collections
are like hand written documents, inscriptions, artifacts etc. Libraries are taking various
initiatives towards preservation of IK. They are organizing various awareness programmes
and seminars. Majority of the libraries kept it for display only and some of them adopted the
digitization initiatives. 26.90% libraries make the digitized manuscripts available through
their digital repositories. Though the library and the librarians are taking various steps
towards preservation of IK, they are facing some problems. They don’t have separate policies
as well as separate funds for this kind of activity. Some of them don’t have digital devices to
digitize them. On the other hand indigenous resources are collected mainly from local
individuals and religious places. But the local community sometimes doesn’t want to donate
such resources. The lack of trained staff is a very big issue in preservation of such resources
which can be fulfilled by organizing training programmes for the staff. It is the responsibility
of every individual to preserve our indigenous resources for the future and make it accessible
to the upcoming generation.
Description
12th Convention PLANNER-2024 Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, September 19-21, 2024
Keywords
Indigenous Knowledge,, Manuscripts,, Preservation,, Accessibility,, College libraries