Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Library building. Picture by Pranab Kumar Nath

Jan. 9: One of the glorious chapters in erudition has come to an end, literally.

The Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Library, which stirs up nostalgia in the old-timers of the Cotton College, is no more than a mausoleum of what it stood for.

The historical library has been going without regular supply of books and magazines for long. Empty magazine and periodical stands greet a visitor to the library, formerly known as the Curzon Hall and Library.

Owing to funds constraint, the library has not subscribed to any English magazine or periodical since the past six months. As of now, the library is under the direct control of the state directorate of library service.

The collection of books include English literature, encyclopaedia, social science, arts, biography, law, education, novel, fiction, children’s collection and science-related books.

The library is running into rough weather due to lack of a scientific preservation system. A valuable collection of over 11,160 books — which includes 7,646 books in English, 2,221 in Assamese, 199 in Bengali and 96 in Hindi — is in peril due to lack of adequate preservation facilities.

“Only selective items have been preserved since 1991, but these are yet to be bound properly. No visible efforts were taken to develop the system. Many a valuable collection are being destroyed due to wet weather and insects,” Utpala Barooah, the library-in-charge, said.

Barooah said many readers have torn the pages of the books and periodicals. “The library is in dire need of proper care and manpower. We have only three employees working in the library. It needs upgradation urgently,” she said.

“A Photostat machine has also become a necessity for the benefit of the people as the library has stopped lending books,” Barooah said.

Director of library service, Guwahati, G.. Das, said, “Steps will be taken to develop the library in the next financial year. We need the permission of the Gauhati Municipal Corporation (GMC) for repairing the building.”

The Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Library Hall, a beautiful building with a green roof, stands on the western bank of Dighalipukhuri.

It was built when Lord Curzon, the then viceroy of India, visited Assam in 1900. Local people had pooled about Rs 14,000 for the purpose of according him a warm welcome.

Manik Chandra Barua, the organiser of the reception committee, proposed to build something which could preserve the memory of the viceroy’s visit and be of some use for the masses. Jagannath Baruah, Satyanath Bora, Bhuban Ram Das and others supported the decision.

Sir Henry Cotton, the then chief commissioner and Lt Col Gordon, the commissioner, and the other members of the reception committee initiated the project and the Curzon Hall came up in the same year.

The original funds proved insufficient. Manik Chandra Barua paid several thousands of rupees from his pocket in secret, as he feared other members would rebuke him if the truth was spilled.

The original building of the Curzon Hall and Library was built nearby the present Cotton College Library. The Cotton College was established the next year and the Curzon Hall was used as the college hall and library.

The college authorities bought the building same year. After that, a new plot was purchased on the western bank of the Dighalipukhuri and the new Curzon Hall and Library was set up there.

In 1911, ancient manuscripts and coins were preserved in the hall, which became a symbol of Assamese culture. In 1953, it was renamed as the Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Library and Hall.

In 1969, the hall was taken over by the Gauhati Municipal Corporation, which decided to rejuvenate the building. The corporation used the building as their branch office since 1975, causing damage to the hall. The dignified building is now only a testimony of neglect and apathy of the authorities.