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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
5851 Posts |
 Posted - 13/07/2007 : 17:23:21
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There was an e-petition asking that government not cut the budget to the the British Library budget:
quote:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to keep the British Library FREE of charge to users! Don't cut its budget!."
Details of Petition:
"You may have read in newspapers that the government is considering cutting the British Library's budget by up to 7%. That might not sound much, but it will result in the library cutting its opening hours dramatically, and charging a fee to use the reading rooms. If you believe that to be a truly British Library, the library services the BL provides should be free of charge to the user - then sign the petition! The BL is a truly world class institution, and one which belongs to all of us. We have a duty of care to support it, for the benefit of future generations. Please, Mr Blair, don't cut its budget!"
Here is the response:
quote:
The British Library preserves, promotes and celebrates our language and literature, two of our greatest contributions to the world's cultural heritage. It also underpins research in the higher education and business sectors, playing what is an essential part in a modern knowledge economy. This Government has supported the Library in fulfilling these roles since 1997, and will continue to do so.
It is, however, independent of Government, and makes its own management decisions, including on issues such as admission charges.
So no commitment not to cut the budget.
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"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
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Typical politicians!
