The Panjab Library Primer.. By Asa Don Dickinson. With a special research article by Mumtaz Ali Anwar. Lahore: Asia Book Centre, 1990. iii, 200 p. Rs. 200/–. (Originally published by the University of Panjab, Lahore, 1916.)¹

Asa Don Dickinson (1876–1960), a 1903 graduate of Dewey’s library school at New York, was a distinguished librarian, bibliographer and publisher’s editor. He served as librarian of the undivided Panjab (Punjab) University at Lahore for one year during 1915–1916, and enjoyed status equal to a senior British professor of the university. He introduced modern American library methods and transformed the Panjab University library from a bookstore to a busy centre of learning. He also advocated open access—something unheard of in India then. His experience and status proved instrumental to exercise his influence much beyond his official concerns to instill a sense of professionalism in the local librarians. He founded the Punjab Library Association in 1915, and made a prophecy of the formation of an “Indian Library Association”—actually formed in 1933 with this name. To him the credit goes for introducing the DDC in India and to adapt it to accommodate local subjects—still a major problem with the DDC to make it more relevant outside North America. India is now the largest user of the DDC in the Orient.

The book, the first library science text written on the Indian soil, was published in 1916 as a manual of library organization and management. It has now been reissued to mark the diamond jubilee of the Department of Library Science of the Punjab University, Lahore—a pioneering school in undivided India founded by Dickinson in 1915 to train library staff for indigenous needs. In his preface Dickinson wrote: “This little book is the fruit of a decade’s experience among American libraries modified by years acquaintance with conditions peculiar to Punjab.” Written at the end of his tenure it is a summary of his lectures “for the guidance of his students and his successors...,” he wrote elsewhere. David Kaser of Indiana University has reasons to rate it as the “best library textbook produced anywhere on earth to that time.” He founds his tall claim on Dickenson’s merit as a product of the best library school of his time and his experience as editor with Doubleday Publishing Company.

This edition begins with a well–researched introduction entitled “Asa Don Dickenson: The Founding Father of Modern Librarianship in British India” by Mumtaz Ali Anwar, describing the state of Punjab libraries. It cites documents relating to Dickinson’s appointment in Punjab, and the tenure of his employment; and brings to bear his deep concern for development of libraries and library profession in Punjab and India. However, it does not deal with his life and career in totality, nor with the importance of the book.

The text has 33 small chapters dealing with almost every aspect of library organization, management, and operations. A glance at the table of contents reflects the curriculum of that day. The topics range from library buildings, collection development, technical processes, library regulations, care and repair of books, children’s libraries, local history collection and Indian Government publications. Its inventive feature is a specially designed two–figure author marks table of about 1,800 mostly Christian names. The table is still being used in some Indian libraries. What may now seen odd is a chapter on library handwriting—indeed, in those days the use of typewriters in Indian libraries was a remote possibility.

Topics for the librarian’s professional development are: functions and spirit of libraries, librarian’s training, and professional readings, viz, library literature. A very valuable, but now regretfully forgotten topic is “Librarian’s Cultural Readings”—an aspect now missing in library education. A chapter on the state of Punjab libraries provides substantial information to library historians, so does the book as a whole. It still has some abiding substance. The language is lucid, within the comprehension of librarians for whom English is a foreign but working language. Obviously most of it is dated, but it can still provide a core to bring an updated modern version. The task is challenging.

The present small edition of 500 copies was retypeset so some minor typos remain here and there. Nevertheless, it is a collector’s volume.

1For further information on Asa Dickinson, see “The Pioneers” in TWL 1–2. US readers who may wish to acquire this Primer will find it convenient to address Malik Mahmood Nawaz, 2900 SW 22 Circle #22E–1, Delray Beach, FL 33445, who has a supply of copies for sale.

M. P. Satija is Professor a Guru Nanak Deve University, Amritsar, India. For biographical information see TWL 4–1.

Citation

Satija, M. P., Review of The Panjab Library Primer.. By Asa Don Dickinson. Third World Libraries, Volume 5, Number 1 (Fall 1994).