For first-time visitors

Welcome to the Tibetan and Himalayan Digital Library (THDL). Because we incorporate languages with non-roman scripts as well as new Web technologies, you will likely need to equip your computer with a few free fonts and browser add-ins in order to use our site to the fullest extent. We have arranged the relevant downloads and information on a single page – please follow this link to prepare your computer.

For a general written introduction to THDL, please follow this link. TDHL is under rapid development, and thus it is not always clear to the user which resources are superficial and which are deep. For a detailed description of the resources currently in effect at THDL, please visit our Guide to Extant Resources. In addition, each section of THDL should have a link from its home page to a guided tour. These tours are simple snapshots walking you through the highlights of that area of THDL, and are easy ways to get oriented. In addition, the home pages have "status" buttons that highlight the current resources and future plans.

We encourage you to check "spotlight" on the home page of thdl.org to see new or well-developed resources with which you might want to start.

As detailed in the "Introduction" and other items off of the THDL tab on the home page ("Participation" in particular), THDL is a consortium of many institutions and individuals offering an alternative vision of cooperation in the production and dissemination of knowledge. Please contact us at thdl@virginia.edu if you are interested in joining the consortium and using THDL's facilities to publish your own research and projects, thereby becoming a co-owner and builder of THDL.