Overview
Library Classification Systems
Academic Libraries
Public Libraries
Commercial Libraries
Special Libraries
Bookstores
Internet Cafés
Your studies and travels in India may allow you to use some special libraries or archives. Count yourself lucky! You may get to work with ancient texts, recordings of music never heard outside India, old photographs, rare books...imagine the fun you'll have and the research you'll be able to perform! These libraries may be in schools, research institutions, performing arts venues, monasteries, and other locations.
Special libraries tend to make their own rules, so make sure to ask about requirements and proper behavior when you enter the library. As with academic libraries, you may need to request permission prior to using the library. Try to allow a few extra days for processing of any paperwork.
Some Indian special libraries have online catalogs or descriptions of their holdings, so you can look through their collections before you go.
Two special libraries UNC students have used in India are:
The
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala.
This library holds over 80,000 manuscripts, 10,000 books, 6000 photos, hundreds of Tibetan artefacts,
and 15,000 hours of oral histories. A highlight of the archive is the legal documents collection. Some of
these papers are as much as 1000 years old. Most items cannot be photocopied or removed from the building,
so plan to spend plenty of time at the library.
Library of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Dharamsala.
TIPA is one of the most revered institutions of traditional Tibetan music and dance. The music department specializes
in Tibetan opera. Its library has an archive of literature, photos, music, and artefacts relating to Tibetan arts.
