QUESTIONS - THE ONGOING DEBATE SURROUNDING THE NATIONAL LIBRARY


The first questions from Hamish Keith:

"This does seem to boil down to a Te Papa generic arguement. The expenditure on the refurbishment of the existing building is being argued on the pro side as being driven by the collections - the care and access - and on the anti side as exessive expenditure the public face of the institution. Which is it?
The antis say the actual space gain is a mere 3000sq metres all of it entry space the pros say that space will provde digital access and that there will be general and necessary improvements to the condition of the building and thus the security of the collections.
Is there some way those of us who watch alarmed from the fringe can know where the truth lies? "

And more from Phillippa McKeown-Green:

" One of the few definite things that is known about proposed changes to the National Library is that there will be a review of the Music Services and Collections, starting sometime this month.This is a collection that the National Library was happy to describe in its annual report several years ago as one of its outstanding collections.

So will there be room for it at all in the new building? Will there be any specialist staff retained to help local and distant users? Will the non-NZ portions of the collections be retained at all?

We don’t know yet, but the Minister says that the National Library's music collections "are being reviewed in terms of their New Zealand and Pacific focus and that it will consider options for the delivery of services".
Sue Sutherland on National Radio mentioned options such as 'partnering' with an outside institution such as a University Library.

We hope everyone interested in music will take the time to respond to the review documents when they appear".
Phillippa McKeown-Green
International Association of Music Libraries (NZ)

Footnote:
It would be useful to have answers to these and other questions swirling around the library/research/history/book world.
The comments published over the past week on my blog are but the tip of the iceberg. I have had many many more comments sent to me in confidence, by e-mail, telephone and letters, all of which illustrates the very widespread concern that is being felt over the National Library plans, and the lack of transperancy concerning the matter.
It is time we heard from the National Librarian, and the Minister.