I saw the following message posted on SHARP-L and thought members of this list would be interested. I've also emailed Wyn James, who suggests writing to the Councillor responsible, Nigel Howells ([log in to unmask]). Further information, and a letter template, is available here: http://archiv.twoday.net/stories/5169098/
- Renae Satterley
Rare Books Librarian, Middle Temple Library
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 16:53:08 +0100
From: Ian Gadd <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Sale of special collections from Cardiff Public Library
Dear SHARP-ists,
(I only receive SHARP messages as a daily digest, so I apologise if someone
has already posted on this topic.)
The BBC website last week reported that Cardiff City Council are
planning to sell off a substantial part of the city library's special
collections:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7593883.stm
As the Council's own report indicates, this is a significant and important
collection of material, including incunabula, civil war tracts, early bibles
and atlases, and private press material. Much of it is uncatalogued and, if
the library's own website is any guide, there has been no promotion of the
collection at all.
http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?object_id=7331
A campaign group has been established. I have been unable to find a website
for the group but the following blogs provide further information:
http://scriptandprint.blogspot.com/2008/09/destruction-of-cardiff-central-li
brary.html
http://archiv.twoday.net/stories/5169098/
http://lampeterlibrary.blogspot.com/2008/09/cardiff-book-sale.html
As someone who has made much use of the special collections held by Bath's
public library both for teaching purposes and to promote its collection more
widely, I hope that the city council will reconsider their decision - public
libraries are one place where it is genuinely possible for non-academics to
have direct access to 'old' books. I understand that local authorities often
have to make difficult economic judgments but, on this occasion, I believe
not only are they missing an opportunity to make a collection such as this a
centrepiece of their public library collections but also a sale would
represent a significant cultural loss to Cardiff and Wales.
The Council's report was very coy about the actual extent of the collection.
Consequently, I'd be keen to hear more about the collection itself - and the
current situation about the sale - from SHARP-L members who are nearer the
action.
Ian Gadd
--------------------------------
Dr Ian Gadd
School of English & Creative Studies
Bath Spa University
Newton Park
Bath BA2 9BN
[log in to unmask] / 01225-875455
(alternative e-mail: [log in to unmask])
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