Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library, Kerala: A Case Study

The Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library, University of Kerala, houses the treasures of ancient knowledge in India. It has come in to existence out of royal interest. The kings of Travancore, as a rule, were valorous as well as lovers of art and literature. Srimulam Thirunal was mainly responsible for the spread of Oriental literature throughout the world. It was he who instituted the department for the publication of manuscripts which in due course grew into the present institution. It is located at Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Its origin goes back to the illustrious Maharaja of Travancore, Swati Tirunal (1829-1846). The institute carries out researches on Indian language manuscripts, major part of which are in Sanskrit. Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library has over 65,000 works mostly of palm leaf manuscripts. Currently the Oriental Institute and Manuscript Library is headed by Dr. R. B. Sreekala, Professor and Head of the Department, Oriental Research Institute and Manuscripts Library, University of Kerala. The paper highlights the techniques used for the conservation and preservation of the rare manuscript collection in Oriental Research & Manuscript Library, Thiruvananthapuram. It further investigates the hardware and software available for digitizing the invaluable collection of manuscripts for the future generation

Manuscripts: Preservation in the Digital Age

Library is the indispensable part of educational institution designed to serve educational, cultural, research, recreational information to the users. . Libraries are the places wherever the complete information gathering takes place together with intellectual and our cultural heritage. The collections possessed by the library are affected by numerous environmental factors that ultimately results in irreparable harm to numerous collections. The information embodied in manuscripts is effective however materials used for this purpose cause a true challenge. These manuscripts have proof of facts, their accomplishments, thoughts, work they need done, theories then on, that are essential for human development. These guide the younger generations for ages and should be saved for each coming generations. This article provides a short define of preservation strategies adopted to protect the manuscripts. Preventive measures should be applied with caution and value effective manner

Repositioning Academic Libraries as a Hub of technology enhanced learning space: Innovations and Challenges

As the third millennium dawns, technology has profoundly changed at such a rapid pace that what is trending once may not continue the next hour and one need to keep up to date on any changes that reflect on their respective profession or within the scope of their duties. Skills change as technology advances which is necessary for job pre- paredness, productivity, research and digital reformation. Library staff needs to be tech savvy in order to answer the broadened technology questions including computers, databases, and new media for rendering best user service. Rather than seeing technology as a threat, it must be adopted as a supporting system for information services, social networking, RSS, weblogs etc. The concept of libraries as physical space is rapidly changing to web based servers in the digital era. Library innovations evolved from the needs and motivations from the past, present and the digital future. The new generation is born into technology surrounded by an infinite number of digital devices keeping high expectations on technology driven library services. This study explores how to make the defining technology of this century more accessible, appealing, and inviting a variety of users and learners to meet the technological demands