Status of Digital Preservation of Manuscripts and Rare Books: A Case Study of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University, Bihar

With the advancement of digital technologies, libraries are shifting from physical to digital resources. Manuscripts are essential primary sources for our historical legacy. The aim of this article is to identify the status, online accessibility, and methods used in the digital preservation of the manuscripts and rare collections of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University, Bihar. This paper discusses how to preserve manuscripts and rare books for future generations through government initiatives such as the National Mission for Manuscripts (NNM) and the Gyan Bharatam Mission. This paper used both quantitative and qualitative methods, including a questionnaire and the institute's official website. The Nava Nalanda Mahavihara was a Manuscripts Conservation Centre and functioned under the aegis of the NMM, New Delhi, for the preservation and conservation of these manuscripts, as required. Currently, the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara has been designated as the Manuscripts Cluster Centre by the Gyan Bharatam Mission, Ministry of Culture, GOI, to preserve and digitise manuscripts for future generations and safeguard our cultural heritage. The Gyan Bharatam Mission, which works under the Union Culture Ministry, signed memorandums of understanding with approximately 20 institutions nationwide.