 In the early years of exile, refugees escaping to India carried hundreds of books out of Tibet . On the arduous journey across the Himalayas , these precious texts were often guarded above all else. Once safe in India , many of these sacred books were presented as gifts to the Dalai Lama. In order to preserve them, His Holiness conceived of and founded the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. The cornerstone for the library's impressive Tibetan-style building was laid on 11 June 1970 in the hill station of Dharamsala, northern India , the heart of the exiled Tibetan community. In November the following year the library opened its doors for the first time, growing to become one of the most important institutions in the world dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of Tibetan culture. To this day pious Tibetans “circumambulate” the library day and night in reverence of the sacred texts housed within.
Located within the grounds of the Tibetan Government-in-exile (though independent), the LTWA is the official National Library, Museum and Archive. Having begun life with two humble collections in Tibetan and English, the library is now a repository for significant collections of artifacts, manuscripts and other records, while also serving as a centre for language and cultural education. It houses two significant libraries, a museum, and audiovisual, photographic and architectural archives. Holdings have grown to include more than 110,000 titles in the form of manuscripts, books and documents; hundreds of thangkas (Tibetan scroll paintings), statues and other artifacts; and over 6,000 photographs. The library's significant oral history project was the first outside of Tibet . The LTWA also runs a publishing house, distributing its own titles in Tibetan, English and Hindi, largely on the topics of Buddhism and Tibetan culture. In recent years, another feather was added to the library's cap when it was nominated as a resource centre for India 's National Mission for Manuscripts project.
As a centre for education, the LTWA has welcomed scholars from all corners of the globe and has had a proud association with many of the world's most eminent “Tibetologists”, as Tibetan scholars are known. Educational programs in language, philosophy, culture and other fields of Tibetan study are run on a regular basis. Other educational activities include seminars and programs such as the Science for Monks project and the annual Translation Workshop. The library is officially recognized by Himachal Pradesh University as a Centre for Tibetan Studies.
As the twenty-first century begins, the library is confident in its role of preserving and educating others about a culture threatened with destruction. Now in its fourth decade, the LTWA continues to develop as the need for such an institution becomes more urgent. Library holdings increase every year and enrollments in philosophy and language courses continue to climb. Each year sees an increasing number of visitors, researchers and students drawn to this institution, which is able to provide them with an educational and cultural experience hard to avail elsewhere in the world
The library's objectives
The primary objectives of the LTWA are to provide a comprehensive cultural resource centre and to promote an environment that encourages research and an exchange of knowledge between scholars and students. These factors are of the utmost importance in a contemporary world shaped by political and spiritual confusion. In trying to fulfill its objectives, the library's priorities include:
• Acquiring and conserving Tibetan books, manuscripts, artifacts and works of art.
• Providing access to books, manuscripts and reference works (in Tibetan as well as in foreign languages) in study areas within library.
• Compiling bibliographies and documentation of library holdings and related literature available worldwide.
• Providing copies and prints of library holdings and acting as a reference centre for such source materials.
• Publishing books and manuscripts under the library imprint.
• Supporting research and study of the Tibetan language, both classical and modern.
Departments of the LTWA
The library is organized into nine departments.
The Tibetan Books and Manuscripts Library
Holding 100,000 documents in Tibetan.
The Foreign Language Reference Library
Holding more than 11,000 books in English and other foreign languages dealing with Buddhism and Tibet related affairs.
The Museum
Housing over 1,000 old and rare statues, Thangkas (traditional scroll paintings) and other artifacts.
The Archives
Consisting of more than 6,000 images, a range of legal and historical documentation from Tibet , over 26,000 hours of audiovisual material, and an architectural archive.
Oral History
Holding more than 600 oral histories and publishing selected histories in book form.
Research and Translation
Conducting and supporting research, translation and education, including courses in Buddhist philosophy and the Tibetan language.
Cultural Research and Publications
Listing more than 175 publications in Tibetan and publishing two biannual journals.
Non-Tibetan Publications
Listing more than 300 titles in English and other languages and publishing a scholarly quarterly.
Administration
Taking care of the day-to-day running of the library.
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