Apologies for cross posting.
Iain Flett
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Sent: 06 February 2007 09:36:08
Subject: How to help re British Library cuts
From: [log in to unmask]
Date: February 5, 2007 8:22:42 AM EST (CA)
With apologies for cross-posting.
The following has been posted on the Rare Books list Exlibris; it was
copied to the list by a former member of the BL staff:
"The British Library itself has distributed the following notice in its
reading rooms:
Readers may have read in the newspapers that the British Library may have
to start charging for access to the reading rooms. We are currently working
with DCMS [the UK government Department for "Culture", Media and Sport] to
assist them in making the best case for the British Library in the current
public sector spending review. They will present our case to the Treasury
over the next few weeks and months. However all commentators agree that the
current economic climate dictates that this will be a tight settlement.
You probably want to know how best to support us at this point. We would be
pleased if you would let us know why the British Library is important to
you and give us permission to use your letter in our campaign. Please
e-mail [log in to unmask] with your name, contact number and message, or
write to Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive, The British Library, 96 Euston
Road, London NW1 2D8.
Thank you. Lynne Brindley"
I urge everyone who can do so to write to Lynne Brindley with detailed
support for the BL, and, as I mentioned in my last post, to protest strongly
to
http://www.culture.gov.uk/global/ContactUs/
My morning newspaper here in Canada carries the information that the cost of
the London Olympics (2012) has doubled and could reach as much as 9 billion
pounds. Though responses to DCMS need not over- emphasise the possible
conflict with sport (or they will likely be discounted given that
department's focus) it is useful to keep in mind the "current economic
climate" and the "tight settlement" Brindley expects, and to consider how it
will affect us all. The potential loss/damage to the book stock, and the
closing of Colindale, are the threats that are likely to cause the biggest
harm, since unlike other possible cuts once in place they cannot be
reversed. This is a scholarly issue of great concern, and I urge everyone
who cares about scholarship and the history of this great library to make
their concern felt both to the BL (in positive terms) and to DCMS (any terms
you choose!).
Germaine Warkentin, Professor Emeritus of English, University of Toronto
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Iain EF Flett
5 Provost Road, Tayport, Fife,
Scotland DD6 9JE +44 (0)1382 552218
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Traidcraft - fighting poverty through trade
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