REGARDING the proposed closure of the historic Minster library, Canon Jonathan Draper says: "The library is a very expensive way of providing a few with access to material which can usually be found elsewhere" (May 23).
Can he explain how unique documents and books (of which the library has many) can be "found elsewhere"? Did the propagation of the gospel not rely on "the few" enlightening the many?
Unique material of immense value is still uncatalogued, so how can he know what will be "jumble saleable" and what will not be? (Psychologists may make much of his choice of phrase here). He seems to speak from a philistine ignorance - or care - of the treasures the library contains. Perhaps the Minster could save money by removing a few unnecessary canons, rather than closing a library of the highest historical value?
Ian Small,
Portland Street, York.
Updated: 11:21 Tuesday, May 27, 2003
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