Sir, – So the board of the National Library of Ireland once again warns about deteriorating collections and seeks extra funding (November 5th). Is anyone listening?
Almost exactly 46 years ago, The Irish Times published an editorial entitled "Unfair to Books!" (October 17th, 1969). It stated that "the condition of the National Library is one of the major scandals of our country", and it highlighted that the library was "deficient in space, staff and supplies" and that "it does not buy all it should buy, partly because it has nowhere to put new acquisitions now, partly because it lack funds".
It is depressing to note how little progress has been made in 46 years. We are supposed to be the “Land of Saints and Scholars”. There are few saints left now, and our Government’s parsimony toward the National Library will ensure that we will not have too many scholars either. – Yours, etc,
FELIX M LARKIN,
Cabinteely,
Dublin 18.