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I think all REED editors need to be aware of this! Abigail -------- Original Message -------- 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 -- Abigail Ann Young (Dr), Associate Editor/ Records of Early English Drama/ Victoria College/ 150 Charles Street W/ Toronto Ontario Canada Phone (416) 585-4504/ FAX (416) 813-4093/ [log in to unmask] List-owner of REED-L <http://www.reed.utoronto.ca/reed-l.html> http://www.reed.utoronto.ca/ => REED's home page http://www.reed.utoronto.ca/stage.html => our Web guide http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~young => my home page