RAWALPINDI, Nov 30: The library of the historic Gordon College is counted among the oldest facilities in the twin cities, containing some invaluable books.

However fewer people visit the library and benefit from the old collection of books that are not being taken good care off in the absence of adequate staff and funds, it has been observed.

A visit to the library located in the basement of the renowned Jubilee Hall revealed a number of rare books in a secluded portion of the library.

The library was set up in 1854 in a school that started functioning there and later was upgraded to a degree college in 1893.

Fiaz Bukhari, the custodian of the facility for the last 10 years, showed a copy of the holy Bible published in 1870 and the ninth edition of Encyclopedia Britannica that was published in 1875.

The oldest book titled ‘An Exposition of the Book of Job: Being sum of CCCXVI (316) preached lecturers in the city of Edinburgh’ by George Hutcheson, minister of the Gospel, was published in 1669. This is the oldest book in the library, Mr Bukhari said.

The facility not only had ancient books, but also a wooden wall clock, now broken and lying in a heap of waste. The clock was brought to the college from the US during the British Raj in India. There were also some sculptures lying in the store. Though the statues were broken, their figures told the dexterity of their maker.

The most valuable collection in the facility was on Christianity and English Literature including classical fiction, poetry and dramas. These books are not being used after the college stopped offering MA classes in the subject. Male students from other universities in the twin cities visit the library especially to consult books on English.

The head of the Urdu department in the college, Prof Zahid Naveed, lamented over the decline in the number of students visiting libraries. Blaming the prevalent education and examination system, he said the students felt no urge for extra study while preparing for their examinations.

He termed the Gordon College Library a graveyard of books and said though the facility was enriched with reference books, very few students or teachers visited it to benefit from the treasure as the reading habits were dying out.

Faiz Bukhari, the librarian, said there were many old books in the library that needed proper attention and preservation. Lack of funds, staff and inadequate place are some hindrances in the proper upkeep of the valuable material.

The library is given Rs100,000 to purchase new books every year, but this amount proved inadequate as book prices were going up.

There are no funds for maintenance of the library and to preserve old valuable books. The librarian further said the education department did not have a policy to get rid of useless and surplus books. The library official said due to unavailability of modern book-keeping facilities, like computer and internet, they were unable to maintain books properly.