Threat to services as cuts loom at British Library

In a briefing paper submitted to the Chancellor Gordon Brown and fellow MP’s, British Library (BL) officials have outlined the serious damage that will be inflicted on the institution if it is forced to make cuts in government enforced plans, writes Daniel Griffin.

Reports from The Guardian newspaper today suggest that the cuts could be up to five to 7% for the publicly funded institution and would entail a threat to key projects and services. To offset any decline in funds, the briefing paper by library officials estimated as a worse case scenario, charges would have to implemented on the use of reading rooms, used by 400,000 people a year, opening hours may have to be cut back, two galleries may close and spending on research journals and books would also face a decline in funds.

Just as significantly, plans for a digital library would suffer a massive blow, “We will be unable to fulfil our statutory obligations for legal deposit of electronic material. UK digital information will be lost for future generations” the BL paper states. Supporters of the library came out in force, with Python, presenter and patron, Michael Palin reported as saying “This is one of the great storehouses of world culture, and what I have seen of their archive material, both photographic and written is quite dazzling.” Lord Bragg added the library “needs to be nourished, not hobbled.” Accusations of “cultural vandalism” and “madness personified” were also flung in the government’s direction.

Responding to the barge of criticism, the newspaper quoted a spokeswoman from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as saying “We are working with the sector on business planning,” “We want to get the best value for money. There has been 10 years of huge increases in funding for the arts.”