ANYONE interested in music - from Gregorian Chant to Kerrang! - will scarcely be content with a promise that the magnificent free-loan music collection at York Library will not be slung out ("Caf plan upsets library users," January 11).
Rather, as Stephanie Reuter indicates, assurance is needed that, as part of a bigger reorganisation, it will not become less accessible, either by being relegated to store, or by being transferred elsewhere.
The open access system is essential to musicians, who need to compare materials for performance and study. Much the best way for the library to promote the collection would be to put back on display some of the many scores which have been taken out in recent years.
It would then be more apparent that this is one of the largest and most diverse collections in Britain.
However, the caf application affects all library-users. The 640 square feet it identifies for "change of use from library use to food and drink" reduces the adult lending area - for any purpose - by ten per cent.
Do library-users really want this? Surely it would be better to put the caf elsewhere?
The timetable for testing the water may be pressing: it may be assumed the council's property development services do not make applications at a venture.
The plans (02/03801/GRG3) may be inspected at Development Control, 9 St. Leonard's Place, YO1 7ET and comments made before February 3.
Keith Daggett,
Ouse Lea, York.
Updated: 11:48 Thursday, January 16, 2003
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