Sikh Reference Library to get new building

Divya Sharma

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 20

The Sikh Reference Library and Museum will be shifted to a three-storey building being constructed at Khalsa College as the process of digitisation of rare Sikh documents has almost been finished.

The construction work of the building is expected to finish in six months. At present, the library is located in one of the old buildings of the college. As per the plan, the entire work of the college authorities and students will be displayed in various sections of the library.

The building will have two libraries — a main library and other one dedicated to the rare documents procured by the college. Besides, there will be periodical and manuscripts sections. Notably, the museum will be open to the students, college staff and general public. To visit the library, permission of college authorities will be required. The new building will also have a special audio-visual section.

Kuldeep Singh, in charge, Sikh history and research department, said, “In the new building, there will be multiple sections. One of the sections will display the digitised documents along with weapons, vintage coins and other old items.”

The department has been involved in digitisation of the rare documents since long. The library is a treasure trove of historical documents dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.

Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, honorary secretary, Khalsa College Governing Council, said, “The entire idea of shifting it to a new building is to provide proper space to the Sikh Reference Library and Museum. The space will do justice to the work which has been done by the staff and students.”