MARGAO
There’s good news in store of readers and citizens alike using the Margao Municipal Council library – there’s no damage to the 1500 rare and valuable Portuguese books on its shelf.
Inspection of the library by a team of Goa University librarians on Tuesday revealed that the books are in good condition. However, in order to preserve these for the next 200 years for posterity, the team has suggested upkeep and maintenance, including dust and moisture control, besides data entry and scanning them.
MMC babus and the City Fathers heaved a sigh of relief after Dr Carlos Fernandes, in-charge Department of Library, Goa University and Head of University library had a glance at the Portuguese books stacked in the rare book section on Tuesday.
“These books are rare and valuable. We have to see how best we can preserve them,” Dr Carlos said and added, “We have found no damage to these rare and valuable books, but they have to be maintained and preserved for the next 200 years.”
To a question, he said lack of dust and moisture control can affect the books. Controlling these can protect the books for the next 200 years.
He said the Central Library will provide free library management software to the MMC to protect the books, adding that the team will submit a report to the municipality on how to go about maintaining these rare gems.
The MMC librarian explained to the team how the library has been taking care of the rare Portuguese books stacked in the library. The librarian pointed out the data of the books has been fed in the computer, but the team has suggested web-based software to protect the books.
MMC CO Agnelo Fernandes thanked the university team and said the civic body was also concerned about the maintenance of the rare books.
He pointed out the MMC had turned down an offer from Portugal to purchase the books because the civic body wants to preserve the same.
Chairperson Lyndon Pereira and city fathers, including member of the library panel, interacted with the team.
