Budget Cuts Could Eliminate Magical Library
Sunday July 27, 2008
The United States isn't the only country whose libraries are facing a budget crisis. It appears that in Great Britain, the Harry Price Library of Magical Literature at the University of London could be broken up and sold off if funding isn't found to maintain the collection. The university's grant for the library was recently cut by 60%, and that means that the vast collection -- the largest of its kind in England -- could be sold to other libraries or even private collectors. The library includes letters between Harry Houdini and the library's benefactor, correspondence from Arthur Conan Doyle, and original copies of the Malleus Maleficarum from 1486. There are over 13,000 pieces in the collection, including books, letters, and photographs relating to magic, witchcraft, and the paranormal.
So what does this mean, in layman's terms? It means if funding isn't found, thousands of pieces of information could be lost to the public forever, because they'll be sitting in a glass box in a private home somewhere. Parts of the collection have been stored digitally, but that's an expensive and vast undertaking. Students around the world are asking their colleges to contribute to the upkeep of this collection, but honestly, a 60% budget cut is going to be hard to make up. Reports are that a final decision will be made in the fall, determining what the Harry Price Library's fate is going to be.
So what does this mean, in layman's terms? It means if funding isn't found, thousands of pieces of information could be lost to the public forever, because they'll be sitting in a glass box in a private home somewhere. Parts of the collection have been stored digitally, but that's an expensive and vast undertaking. Students around the world are asking their colleges to contribute to the upkeep of this collection, but honestly, a 60% budget cut is going to be hard to make up. Reports are that a final decision will be made in the fall, determining what the Harry Price Library's fate is going to be.
Comments
Actually, I wouldn’t mind owning some of that stuff because it no doubt came from my ancestors. How does whoever wrote this know that someone won’t use the information found in the books? The only ones that would be interested would be Museums, and Magickal Users alike.
I disagree! The Vatican would probably be interested, buy up as much as possible, and “disappear” it forever in their vaults
This is where Google could come in handy. Scan and upload all that information just in case the public will falters and it is all sold off to sit in someone’s living room. Because I would bet that’s what’s going to happen, unless Llewellyn or some other publishing concern steps in and can somehow profit from holding the collection. Sad but true.
Just dreadful! The library is undoubtedly a wonderful reseach resource. It’s loss would be tragic.
well this is what happens when you win your bid to host the olympics…unfortunately everything else suffers. guess the funding has to be cut from somewhere doesnt it.
i agree it should be made public online just incase. this is our wiccan history.
It’s just a scam for the powers that be to get their hands on this stuff and take it out of the public domain because they know how powerful it all is and they don’t want us to have the power.
Brightest Blessings
Okay, how about some real information! Where does one attempt to donate some time or cash to thwarting the closure of this library? Preservation is always the key. Maybe it’s a couple of bucks from everyone with a little bit of interest, or someone actually who can help!
Good Eve all,
I agree that if we all put in a few dollars/pounds/yen/rubles/dinari/shekels… this library could be saved. Give us info please.
I also agree that the library is on the chopping block, for religious reasons. Reason being; before “Intelligent Design”, and prayer in schools were an issue, no one much cared about the library. Now that Paganism is becoming more widely known, and fundementalists have won a few court victories, they want to stay in power by keeping the rest of us down and ignorant of our history; a history of the Burning Times and Crusades they want to gloss over. Remember, its an election year somewhere, power IS being welded.
Breathe Deep, Seek Peace
What would it take to get the UN to call it a World Heritage Site?
What would it take to get the Library of Congress to save all the books?
We are honor-bound; blood was spilled by Pagans past so we can worship today; we owe them.
If they Do not want the books i would Love to have Them.. Knowing me i would probably Scan them and stick them on the internet for all man kind to see. i prefer Sharing all the info i gather.. but knowing some humans out there they would rather prevent the free sharing of info.. By the way Secret info Stays Secret..
From, Tails kitsune The bookaholic