Doors closed, library to opens online access

CHENNAI: When big libraries like the Anna Centenary library and the Connemara public library remain closed due to the pandemic-imposed lockdown but education continues online, there is a gap in access to resources. Keeping this in mind, the

Roja Muthiah Research Library

(RMRL) in Taramani is planning to make its content digital. The idea is to digitise books related to

Sangam literature

, folk, medical and popular culture.

The work has just begun and will take a couple of months, said Sundar Ganesan, director of RMRL. Ganesan said the initiative is not only aimed at the research scholars, but also for lay readers. "We have seen a lot of readers who are interested and want to know more about Sangam literature and the vibrant folk traditions of Tamil Nadu. The research scholars will have a specific interest, unlike the

lay readers

, who are active in blogs and social networking sites. This will help them a lot," he said.

K Mukunth, a research scholar of ancient history of Tamil Nadu, said his work could not progress despite all the time during the lockdown as he was unable to access the library. "All the libraries are closed due to lockdown. I am having a tough time. I appreciate RMRL’s initiative," said Mukunth.

The RMRL has a collection of more than 4,00,000 items comprising books, journals, newspapers, printed ephemera and audio records, the earliest title being a book called ‘Gnanpattukalin Posthakam’, published in 1797. The library’s strengths are its holdings in classical and modern literature, literary criticism, indigenous medicine, religion and philosophy, cinema and the related culture of printed works (such as song books), folklore, metaphysics, Gandhian studies and numerous publications of historical value. It also holds the personal collections of Gift Siromani,

Iravatham Mahadevan

,

A K Ramanujan

, Robert Hardgrave, the Rudolphs, Milton Singer, Mu Arunachalam,

R Champakalakshmi

and several noted personalities.

The library has some rare books and articles online, and the present project will focus on Sangam literature, folk, and medical literature and popular culture, said Sundar. "Converting the images into digital format is a challenge. It’s a difficult situation so we are trying to digitise the material that doesn’t have any copyright. Once it’s ready, then anyone can sit home and access the books. We hope to finish the work in a couple of months," said Sundar.