Bridging Mountains and Minds: The Role of Libraries in Advancing Equitable and Multilingual Open Science in Nepal and Beyond

Abstract

Open Science holds transformative potential to democratize access to knowledge through transparency, collaboration, and inclusion. However, in geographically complex and linguistically diverse countries like Nepal, its implementation faces distinct challenges. This presentation explores how libraries—longstanding institutions of access and learning—can bridge these divides by fostering equitable and multilingual participation in Open Science. With over 125 ethnic groups, 123 spoken languages, and vast rural-mountainous regions, Nepal embodies the urgency and complexity of building inclusive knowledge systems. Many communities remain digitally disconnected and linguistically marginalized from global scientific discourse. Libraries, both physical and digital, are uniquely positioned to address these barriers. This paper highlights the evolving role of libraries in Nepal: enabling access to global research via open-source digital platforms (Koha, DSpace, ResourceSpace), curating local knowledge through institutional repositories, and supporting translation and dissemination of scientific content in Nepali and indigenous languages. It also examines initiatives such as the Nepal National Digital Library (NNDL), open journal databases, and the central role of Tribhuvan University Central Library (TUCL) as a national knowledge hub. At the regional level, the proposed Regional Federation of South Asian Library Associations (REFSALA) and collaborations with IFLA and UNESCO illustrate how cross-border partnerships can amplify Open Science goals. Solutions such as mobile digital libraries, multilingual publishing policies, and capacity-building workshops are discussed. Ultimately, this presentation advocates for libraries as inclusive agents of change—transforming mountains from barriers into bridges for global scientific participation. Nepal’s journey offers a replicable model for other developing nations striving for equitable and multilingual Open Science ecosystems.

Keywords: Open Science, Multilingualism, Libraries in Nepal, Knowledge Equity, Indigenous Knowledge