Date:         Fri, 10 Feb 1995 09:29:27 -0800
Subject:      H-ASIA: Re: South Asia Library Resources

                                H-ASIA
                           February 9, 1995

Re: Robin Jeffrey article on South Asia Library Resources in Australia
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From: Sugandha Johar <Sugandha.Johar@antiquity.su.edu.au>
Subject: Re: H-ASIA: South Asia Library Resources

Professor Robin Jeffrey's paper, though relevant, seems to miss out on a
number of areas. His emphasis seems to be mostly on the study of the
Post-Colonial Indian society. In a climate where our understanding of the
interrelated world of the Pre-modern era is growing, it seems proper that
more attention should also be paid to the research resources of that
period.

Speaking from my perspective (I am interested in the history and
archaeology of Western India in the Pre-Modern times), it seems illogical
that most of the leading journals of research in these areas are neglected
and not subscribed to by the Australian libraries, even though in
Australian money it costs absolute pittance.

Besides, all these discussions and activities never seem to take the
resident South Asian community of Australia into their scope of view or
even cognisance. Could this be because of the fact that most of the
academics ethnically do not belong to the South Asian community and
therefore do not have any natural bridges to that community in Australia?
(Though a researcher I am not a part of any University structure. )

I would like to suggest that if asked, a fair amount of money could be
raised from this wealthy community (most are professionals and hence value
information) to fill some of these lacunae.

Secondly, the community could be encouraged to report if not donate some
of the resources available in their personal possesions for other
researchers to use. This of course stands true for the personal libraries
of the academic themselves. For example, I hve nearly 1000 audio
cassettes of North Indian music, a large number of which are classical -
vocal and instrumental, the others being of film music. In addition I
also have a fair collection of classical music on videos.  Besides, I
have a small library of Hindi and marathi books, not available in any
academic library that I know of. In addition I subscibe to a few business
magzines and current affairs magazines from India, whichc I would be glad
to pass on to any library interested in collecting them.

In todays climate of diminishing resources this could be one way of
increasing library resources at minimal cost. ( Here I take on board
Frank Conlon's observation that most libraries are not very keen to
receive such material either since they cannot rely on informal supply or
are concerned about the fixed costs beyond those of a acquisition. )

Sugandha
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