There is a trend in British society, and indeed across Europe. There must be more money for war. At the same public institutions that are one of the key reasons for wanting to defend the country are cutting back due to lack of money. At the BBC even the Archers is under threat. Now the British Library has announced plans to turn over some reading rooms to commercial spaces for hire.
I’ve been a reader at the British Library since 1984 and I still visit regularly. As a research historian I use it for, er, research.
Of course the Library as the piece by Andy Beckett below underlines also does exhibitions (some free, some paid for)and talks and, yes, aside from my free readers pass I do pay an annual sub to be a British Library member.
The problem with turning over some reading rooms to use for profit is that we have seen the process elsewhere. It will lead to charging for a readers pass and restricting access to the National Library.
What is needed is a campaign to get adequate funding for the Library. The cost will still be small compared to the funding of wars that Governments are keen on.
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