You may have seen recent news reports concerning the projected 7% cut in the
British Library's annual budget which, if put into effect, are likely to
lead to charging readers for admission, reductions in opening hours and the
closure of the Colindale Newspaper Library.  Anyone who has been there
recently will know that the BL is already struggling to meet the demands on
its resources. It needs extra funding, not further cuts.    The British
Library website for this campaign is:
 
http://www.bl.uk/spendingreview.html

If you would like to register your opposition to these cuts, there is now a
petition on the No.10 website: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/library/ Over 3300
people have already signed the petition and it takes only a matter of
moments.

In addition to the petition, the BL are asking everyone to write and let
them know why the library is so important to people, ideally giving the BL
permission to use these letters to help them make their case. Please email
[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 2DB.


Chris Cumberpatch BA PhD
Freelance Archaeologist