Goa Archives E-Library Puts 35,800 Books Online

Panaji: Goa’s rich history and heritage are now just a few clicks away, with the Archives Department making around 35,800 books and other resources available online through its e-library.

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The digital initiative is expected to benefit students, researchers, historians and the general public, allowing them to explore the department’s extensive collection from anywhere with an internet connection. The move is also aimed at making Goa’s historical literature more accessible to people across the country and around the world.

According to department official Dr. Balaji Shenoy, encouraging young people to develop the habit of reading and making the archival collection accessible to everyone are among the key objectives of the initiative.

The department plans to gradually add the entire library collection as part of its ongoing digitisation drive. The digital platform is also being used to understand the requirements of researchers and readers and improve access to archival resources.

Online Access Expected to Boost Research

Archives Department librarian Sandhya Bhandankar said that around 100 to 150 students and researchers visit the library every month.

Since the launch of the online catalogue, the department has already recorded 199 online visitors. Officials expect the number to increase significantly as people from different parts of the world can now explore the collection online and plan their research visits accordingly.

The online catalogue is available through the official website of the Archives Department, providing users with an overview of the books and resources available in the library.

Valuable Collection on Goa’s History

The library contains books covering several important aspects of Goa’s history, culture and heritage.

According to Bhandankar, the collection includes books written by noted authors such as Neri Xavier, Panduranga Pissurlenkar, Manohar Sardesai and Lopes Mendes. The collection also includes historical works documenting the liberation struggle of Goa, Daman and Diu.

The availability of these resources online is expected to provide researchers with easier access to rare and historically significant material that may otherwise require a physical visit to the archives.

Portuguese-Era Historical Literature

One of the major attractions of the digital collection is its extensive material from the Portuguese period.

The library houses historical books and documents dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, offering valuable material for researchers studying Goa’s colonial history.

The department has identified ‘Historia de Inquisition de Goa’, published in 1697, as the oldest book recorded in its collection.

The digitisation initiative is therefore being viewed as an important step towards preserving Goa’s historical knowledge while making rare books and archival resources accessible to a much wider audience.

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