Art books from every decade of the 20th century were in the collection of artist Anne Yeats. The collection was formally presented to the library of the Institute of Technology in Sligo yesterday. From Carol Coulter, in Sligo
The Institute's librarian, Mr Jim Foran, said the books included one on Picasso published in Tokyo in 1936, as well as many works on other artists, numerous exhibition and sales catalogues, and art journals. There were 19 books on Picasso alone. Her collection also included books on the theatre, and on Egyptian and Eastern art.
They have all been catalogued and a full list put on the Internet he said. "I look forward to the full list being used by art students in thesis over the years. They will not be available for lending; but the library has an open door policy towards users."
Mr Michael Keohane, president of the Yeats Society, recalled the selling off of a major part of the King's Inns Library 30 years ago. This loss of Ireland's cultural heritage should be contrasted with the attitude of the Yeats family, he said, and what they were doing for the cultural heritage of this country.
"A lot of material of relevance to Sligo was offered recently at public auction. It was never offered to Sligo or any national institution," he said "The creation of a library is a statement of confidence in the future and one of the hallmarks of a civilisation."
Referring again to the sale of the King's Inn collection he recalled that he had participated in the picket of Sothebys at the time. The company had agreed that a number of the books should not be offered at auction and should go back to Ireland. But these books did not exist in any British library so the British government refused an export licence which was only granted recently, he said. Mr Keohane referred to a recent book on this controversy by Colum Kenny.
Mr Yeats said that when his sister died recently they realised she had an enormous number of books and wondered what to do with them. The family discovered that the Institute of Technology in Sligo had an art and design department and decided to give her artbook collection to the library there. "My sister would have been happy to know they were here" he said. "She was a very good teacher and she liked teaching. She was very interested in young people. I hope these books will provide happiness and enlightenment for many."
Prof Bernard O'Donoghue, Director of the Yeats Summer School, said what was special about the school was that it was the creation of local people and this attracted the support of people of national prominence like the Yeats family.