Antique books and rare records from the colonial era in the library of the Punjab Civil Secretariat are gathering dust because of bureaucratic neglect, Pakistan Today has learnt. What once used to be a stable for former Punjab ruler Ranjit Singh’s horses was turned into a library by the British, who preserved rare manuscripts, antique books and other government record in the building. Presently, the library contains more than 40,000 books written in as far back as 1615 AD along with colonial gazetteers, biographies, old government record, civil lists, details of village panchayats and government of India acts besides several other books on other disciplines. The rare library record is consulted by researchers and scholars who come even from abroad to have an understanding of how the British ruled the sub-continent. It also includes books with insights into people of different castes and social structures, details of agricultural patterns, local customs, topography, tribal rivalries and local trade, which were all documented by the British during the Colonial Rule.
But bureaucracy took no interest in preserving rare records despite having technological equipment. Different methods of preserving old books include fumigation, lamination and microfilming, but according to sources, the government has not microfilmed even a single book despite having the facility within premises of the civil secretariat. They said that the government has even a separate post of microfilming officer for the said purpose but lacks the will to achieve the task. According to sources, a few books have been fumigated to remove silver fish and laminated to preserve paper, while the advanced method of microfilming has not been used at all. “Many old books need binding, which is not possible unless the pages are laminated. The books are so old that the pages crumble the moment you turn them and then there is a more advanced method of microfilming for digital preservation of such antique record also. It is only for the bureaucracy to take heed for preserving precious record, which does not even need additional finances, as all the requisite equipment is already available and that too within the civil secretariat,” an official, seeking anonymity, said.
A mere round in the library further highlights the most neglected area within the seat of the provincial government, its library, unfortunately. The main study hall for researchers has no chairs, fans are broken down, there is not enough light to read books and a majority of library cupboards have broken window panes. This is when one overlooks the dilapidated structure with old wooden ceilings and tattered walls. Talking to Pakistan Today, a researcher said, “It is pitiable that the government has turned a blind eye to such an important task of preserving rare records and documents. This is an asset, which should be preserved, not to talk of other facilities like a photocopy machine, proper furniture and an air conditioner which will be considered luxuries. The library seems to be discouraging research rather than the other way round.”
Punjab Archives Secretary Shahnaz Nawaz said, “We do not have any funds for the library. The S&GAD has its overall budget but not specifically for the library. We are planning to build a new building, let’s hope that it is done.” When informed that microfilming did not need additional funds, she said that the old record of several administrative departments is being preserved at the moment and the library record will be preserved after it is done.
Antique books gathering dust since the year dot
