LETTER SENT TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE BRITISH LIBRARY

BY EMAIL AND COURIER

Dame Lynne Brindley

The British Library , 96 Euston Road NW1 2DB

Dear Dame Lynne

Since I have been widely reported in the press on the subject of the British Library, I have decided to write to you directly in order to put my true views on the subject as accurately as possible.

First, I am a devoted adherent of the British Library where I have worked continuously, in the old and new versions, since 1953 when I left university.

Secondly, I have no objection in principle to the admission of students (or any other category of user). What I do feel is that the British Library, in changing its admissions policy, did not sufficiently address the problems this would bring. This is on the evidence of my own visits, supplemented by reports from a wide circle of fellow readers of all ages.

I can imagine some short term solutions - more locker rooms, a further cloakroom official at busy times. A notice downstairs in the cloakroom when Reading Rooms are full, for example, would save the irritating experience of queueing to deposit bag and coat, then queueing again to retrieve them because there was no room upstairs. None of this can alleviate the central problem: more readers either mean more seats or chaos and frustration.

I feel particularly sorry for readers from outside London who make an expensive day trip to research and then can't get a seat. I am fortunate enough to live in Central London so it does not apply to me: but I know of numbers of people - once again of all ages - to whom this has happened.

I would like to end by paying a tribute to the patience and kindness of your staff in what must be most trying circumstances. They deserve better. We all do.

Yours sincerely
Antonia Fraser