Library Support

Anandashram Sanstha maintains one of the most valuable collections of Sanskrit manuscripts and texts in India, with over 15,000 manuscripts spanning 26 subjects of Hindu Religion and Culture. These irreplaceable cultural treasures require significant care and resources to preserve for future generations. Your support ensures this ancient wisdom remains accessible to scholars and researchers worldwide.

Anandashram Library Ancient Manuscripts

The Challenge of Manuscript Preservation

Many of our manuscripts are centuries old, created on delicate materials like palm leaves, handmade paper, and birch bark. These ancient documents face numerous threats to their survival:

Environmental Threats

  • Humidity damage and mold growth
  • Insect infestation (silverfish, bookworms)
  • Fungal infections that deteriorate pages
  • Acid deterioration of paper
  • Fading of ink and pigments
  • Physical damage from improper handling

Preservation Challenges

  • Maintaining stable temperature and humidity
  • Need for specialized storage furniture
  • Conservation expertise and supplies
  • Balancing preservation with accessibility
  • Limited funding for preservation activities
  • Need for digital backup and archiving

Our Preservation Process

1

Assessment and Documentation

Each manuscript is carefully examined to determine its condition, material, age, and preservation needs. Detailed records are created including high-resolution photographs of the manuscript.

2

Cleaning and Treatment

Specialized cleaning techniques remove dust and surface contaminants. Manuscripts are treated with appropriate preservatives to prevent insect damage and fungal growth without harming the delicate materials.

3

Repair and Conservation

Damaged manuscripts undergo careful repair using traditional techniques and conservation-grade materials. This includes mending tears, reinforcing bindings, and stabilizing fragile pages.

4

Protective Housing

Each manuscript is placed in acid-free protective enclosures or custom-made boxes designed to prevent further deterioration. These are then stored in specialized cabinets with climate control.

5

Cataloging and Indexing

Comprehensive cataloging system tracks each manuscript's location, condition, and content. This includes subject classification, author information, and other metadata to facilitate research access.

6

Ongoing Maintenance

Regular inspections for signs of damage or deterioration. This includes pest monitoring, environmental checks, and periodic preventive treatments to ensure long-term preservation.

Resources Required for Manuscript Preservation

Preservation Materials

  • Acid-free archival boxes
  • Conservation-grade paper
  • Preservation chemicals
  • Pest control solutions
  • Protective gloves and equipment

Storage & Environment

  • Climate control systems
  • Specialized wooden cabinets
  • Humidity regulators
  • Fire protection systems
  • UV-filtering lights

Human Resources

  • Conservation specialists
  • Sanskrit scholars for cataloging
  • Librarians and archivists
  • Digitization technicians
  • Maintenance staff

How Your Donations Are Utilized

Support Area Impact
Conservation Materials Specialized preservation supplies and chemicals for manuscript treatment
Storage Infrastructure Climate-controlled cabinets, protective enclosures, and security systems
Digitization Efforts Equipment and personnel for creating digital backups of manuscripts
Expert Personnel Conservation specialists and librarians with expertise in ancient texts
Cataloging & Research Creating comprehensive indexing systems and supporting research initiatives

Note: These allocations are approximate and may be adjusted based on current preservation priorities.

Preservation Success Stories

Our team successfully restored a collection of 200-year-old manuscripts of {some author} that were damaged by humidity. Through careful conservation efforts, these invaluable texts are now stabilized and accessible to researchers.

A rare collection of palm leaf manuscripts on Ayurvedic medicine was protected from a severe termite infestation through timely intervention. These manuscripts now provide valuable insights into traditional medical practices.

Support Our Library Preservation Efforts

Support Options

  • Sponsor manuscript preservation
  • Fund storage cabinet
  • Support digitization efforts
  • Contribute to environmental controls
  • Sponsor a conservation specialist

Bank Details

Account Name: Anandashram Sanstha

Account Number: 015301000009666

Bank Name: Indian Overseas Bank

Branch: Pune City

IFSC Code: IOBA0000153

Contact for Library Support

Library Preservation Coordinator: Mrs. Manasi Ranjanikar

Email: anandashramsan@gmail.com

Phone: +91 9604177476

For more information about our manuscript preservation efforts or to discuss how your donation can help, please contact our library preservation coordinator.