Cardiff Library: Emeriti express deep concern

SIR – The reports in the Western Mail (September 3) of the decision to sell a part of Cardiff Library’s collection of valuable early volumes, among them some of specific interest to Wales in the fields of historiography, cartography, topography and literature, is a matter of deep concern and dismay.

It is inconceivable that the capital city’s historic library should take such a course of action – in a city that is home to a renowned university that boasts a Nobel scholar, a major university teaching hospital, and a national museum; a city that not long ago sought the title of European City of Culture.

One cannot imagine a major library institution in Dublin, Edinburgh or London treating such treasures in its collections as disposable assets.

Clearly the people who took the decision to take this course of action are fully aware of the market price of the volumes but, alas, they seem to know little of their value.

They also seem to be unaware that their role is surely that of careful custodians of the collection and not irresponsible owners.

We, the undersigned, urge the executive committee of Cardiff council to take immediate steps to prevent this action which so impoverishes our capital and country’s cultural assets and so demeans the status of its major library institution.

Gwynedd O. Pierce

formerly of the School of History and Archaeology, Cardiff University and President of the Glamorgan History Society

EMERITUS PROFESSOR J GWYNFOR JONES

Formerly of the School of History & Archaeology, Cardiff University

EMERITUS PROFESSOR GLYN E JONES

Formerly of the School of Welsh, Cardiff University

WalesOnline

Two more letters protesting against the heritage destruction

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