Accessibility of Indigenous Knowledge in the College Libraries of Assam: An Analytical Study

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.