In accordance with the recommendations made by the Review Committee appointed by the Government of India in May 1975, the Reading Room has been reorganized and converted into the Reference Section. Books and journals which do not have direct bearing on the study of Tibetan civilization were sorted out and donated to the Tibetan Children Village. The Reference Section will now accommodiate books and periodicals having specific relevance with the study of Tibetology, tibetan Buddhist philosophy and Indo-Tibetan studies in general. Card Systems for admission has been introduced in the Reference Section. Reference facilities are restricted to genuine and serious students and scholors.

Apples for donations of rare and old books and journals published on Tibet have been widely distributed to enable the Library to build a more comprehensive and up-to-date Reference Section with will help in providing the various serious and genuine scholars, Tibetologist, Buddhologists and the Journalists to assess and give a true picture of Tibet and its civilisation.

During 1977, the Reference Section has purchased 89 books in English and other languages worth apporximalely Rs.5397/- dealing with the cultural, religious and ethnic history of the Himalayan Region in general and of Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim in particular. 72 books on Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism have also been received on donation.

591 books on Tibetan civilisation in English and other foreign languages have been received so far on donation from Shambala Publications, U.S.A., Dharma Publishing, U.S.A., Alexandra David-Neil Foundation, France, and the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, England.

25 journals on Tibet and Buddhism in general on complimentary and exchange basis from all over the world. The Reference Section has been able to update and complete the collection of press-clippings on Tibet and Tibetology. The Vertical Files classified and catalogued so far present a comprehensive field for reference and information to research scholars, students and journalists etc., on such varying subjects and topics of interest as Tibet News, Tibet in UN, china in UN, Tibetan in exile, Tibetan religious ceremonies, Sino-Nepal, Indo-Soviet, Tibet-Nepal and Bhutan, Sino-USA, Sino-Soviet and the tours and statements of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The collection of press-clippings will be of immense value not only to the research scholars, students and journalist but to the various offices and departments of the Tibetan administration in exile.

In the summer of 1979, Late Mr. Gokey, Assistant reference librarian was sent for reorientation course to Delhi Public Library, the American Centre Library, Jawaharlal Nehru University Library and Nehru Memorial Library and Museum in Delhi. He was trained in acquisition, processing and cataloguing.

During his training in Delhi, Late Mr. Gokey attended the National Conference on the problems of Translations of 'Foreign Languages' on behalf of the LTWA. The conference was held at the National Physical Laboratory Stadium in New Delhi from October 12 to 14, 1979.

It was found that it would not be easy to evolve an altogether new system which calls for expertise in the field of library science. For proper classification and cataloguing, it is also prudent to have staff with sound knowledge of Tibetan history and Buddhism in general and Tibetan Buddhism in particular. It has now been decided to follow the 18th edition of Dewey Decimal Classification System with modifications, and the work of re-classifying and updating the catalogue has already begun.

Late Mr. Gokey was deputed by the Library to undergo a two-month training course in Archival management in the National Archives of India, New Delhi, in December 1981 - January 1982. The 'catalogue of the Reference Department of the LTWA, compiled by Late Mr. Gokey Dekhang was published both in soft and hard covers thereby making it a useful reference tool.

During 1981-82, 1200 students, scholars and researchs from various parts of world have used the facilities of the Reference Section.

The Refernce Section receives over 40 scholarly journals, and an equal number of lesser periodicals, news letters and newsmagazines. Most of these are in exchange with Tibet journal while some are gifts from friends of the Library, and few on subscription. We are indebted to Ms. D.Randale of Canada for her continued gift of Time newsmagzine and Mr. Takamasa Sago, Circulation Director, Pacific edition of Newsweek newsmagazine for keeping us in the complimentary mailing list of the magazine.

Additon of journals during the period include 8 back issues of the Journal of Asian Studies (1975-77) donated by Harvey Aronson (U.S.A.) and the Bulletin of China Border Area Studies (1970-81) from the National Chengchi University, Taiwan.

In 1988, Reference Section of Library of Tibetan Works and Archives has computerised with SCO Unix server with 1 dum terminal and 3 Gist terminals using LIBSYS software, developed at New Delhi.

We are deeply indebted to the Government of India and other Support Organisations for their magnificent kindness and support, without which the future of the Library would have at best been uncertain.

For further information contact:

The secretary

Library of Tibetan Works and Archives
Dharamsala - 176215, H.P.
(INDIA)
Phone: +91-1892-22467
Fax:+91-1892-23723
E-mail: ltwa@ndf.vsnl.net.in

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Last updated: 6-Mar-2000