The Eidos Film Society has launched the project of building a library in Spiti Valley. It will contain a collection of Tibetan literature.>>

The native language in Spiti is Spitian. It is believed to be a dialect of Tibetan language. It is not taught at any school.  There are some Tibetan classes for children at their basic education level. Regular classes of the Tibetan language and culture are only for young monks in monasteries.
 
Library facilities are very, very poor in the Spiti region. The closest book store is in Manali (over 200 km from central Spiti – 12 hours one way by bus) and books are too expensive for Spitians.

There was huge enthusiasm from villagers and authorities when we suggested establishing a public library in Sagnam (Pin Valley, district Spiti). It will contain a collection of Tibetan literature, Buddhist texts, classical and contemporary pieces of Indian, European and American literature. (Incidentally this would provide an alternative to the television that came to Spiti with electricity a few years ago).

We will be grateful to all who help us make this happen.