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Destruction of Manchester library books halted after writers' campaign Destruction of Manchester library books halted after writers' campaign
(about 17 hours later)
A campaign by the poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy and a number of other literary names to stop the destruction of hundreds of thousands of books at the UK's largest municipal library appeared to have succeeded.A campaign by the poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy and a number of other literary names to stop the destruction of hundreds of thousands of books at the UK's largest municipal library appeared to have succeeded.
In June, the group wrote to the head of libraries in Manchester calling for an end to the pulping of the non-fiction books at Manchester Central Library which is undergoing a restoration. In June, the group wrote to the head of libraries in Manchester calling for an end to the pulping of the non-fiction books at Manchester central library which is undergoing a restoration.
The campaigners, including Jackie Kay, Michael Symmonds Roberts, Simon Armitage and Jeanette Winterson, as well as the former Hacienda DJ Dave Haslam, argued that the book collections were as important as the fabric of the building, rivalled only by the British Library.The campaigners, including Jackie Kay, Michael Symmonds Roberts, Simon Armitage and Jeanette Winterson, as well as the former Hacienda DJ Dave Haslam, argued that the book collections were as important as the fabric of the building, rivalled only by the British Library.
The group, the Friends of Central Library, said on Monday they believed the books would now be stored in a warehouse until a final decision could be made about their future.The group, the Friends of Central Library, said on Monday they believed the books would now be stored in a warehouse until a final decision could be made about their future.
A spokesman for the group said: "Whilst the Friends are delighted at this complete change of policy, concerns are already being expressed over the long-term future of the stored books. There is also the question of access for the public: as these volumes are not being catalogued, how will the public know what is in storage and what has already been disposed of? And when will the public be able to gain access to the stored books?"A spokesman for the group said: "Whilst the Friends are delighted at this complete change of policy, concerns are already being expressed over the long-term future of the stored books. There is also the question of access for the public: as these volumes are not being catalogued, how will the public know what is in storage and what has already been disposed of? And when will the public be able to gain access to the stored books?"
Manchester city council said the process of moving the books to a storage facility did not represent a U-turn but was unable to clarify if the weeding out process had been abandoned. Vicky Rosin, deputy chief executive of Manchester city council, said there had been no U-turn in the council's approach. She said: "The books which are being withdrawn are those which are duplicates, outdated or otherwise obsolete. All rare, valuable, historic and local history items are being kept."
She added: "There has been a lot of scaremongering about this process – indeed the myth is still being repeated that this is due to a shortage of shelving despite the fact that there will be more shelving in central library when it reopens."
Meanwhile, the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £1.55m to the council to create an archive centre at the library for the Archives+ project. Rare books will be showcased in the first floor domed reading room. The refurbishment of the library is expected to be completed by 2014.Meanwhile, the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £1.55m to the council to create an archive centre at the library for the Archives+ project. Rare books will be showcased in the first floor domed reading room. The refurbishment of the library is expected to be completed by 2014.