It’s “Wednesday Wafflings” when I post the latest entry in my Diary of
a Hopeful Author…
Call me old-school, but I like books. Not simply the e-ones, although, to be fair, they are amazing, increasing, as they do, the universal access to reading and information and the wonder that is knowledge. But books, the ones with spines and pages and the heady scent of learning – they are something else. And so, I bring to you this week – whilst I swim in the deep end of my final book edit -a piece I wrote back in June 2012 for an old ‘Media Monday’ post, all about how Manchester Central Library were going to cull their book stores, pulping them, just like a similar proposal for New York Central Library. Have a read and see what you think. I, meanwhile, shall go edit another 20,000 words…
“They’re pulping all the books” – Media Monday post – June 2012
Book pulping. Is it a) a new a Tarintino film; b) a fist-fight at a literary festival; or is it c) the shredding of books from a library. Well, this week, Manchester Central Library has found itself in a pulping mess after – in an open letter to the Head Librarian (you can read it here) – a host of eminent literary names called for a halt to the destruction of thousands of library books from the vaults of the long-standing library.
According to The Guardian, it turns out that for the past 18-months, Manchester Central Library has been culling – pulping – its stack of non-fiction books because renovations for the elegant domed building have not included enough room for, well, all the books. You’ve got to question what on earth they were they thinking when the renovation decisions were being made. Just imagine the meeting where they discussed the library’s future. ‘Right, so, we need to renovate, yes?’ Cue murmurs of agreement. ‘It’s going to cost £170million and take three years. It will look fabulous. Any other considerations? Anyone? We’ll have enough space, right? Right? Great. Custard slice?’ Hmmm. The thing is, I understand why libraries
Manchester Central Library – but where are the books?
have this predicament. The more books they have, the more space to store them becomes an issue – it is a problem the New York Central Library is experiencing right now in their own renovations process.
But the point of a library is to have books. And those books are used by the people to learn, to expand their knowledge. Take older books away and you take away a history, a timeline of information and a generation of experience and thought. It turns out I’m not the only one who thinks this way. In their open letter, the literary figures said: “We are concerned that far too much of the irreplaceable collection is in danger of being lost forever. We demand that the current destruction of stock is halted and that a thorough investigation of the library’s disposal policy is carried out.”
In this age of the digital book, there is a clear argument that the use of books via such media can provide constant access to literature resources whilst saving valuable space and money. This I agree with in many ways. But to destroy old books, just like that, with no consultation with the public who use them and in many ways you could argue own them? That’s wrong. Would artifacts be destroyed from a museum? Or Royal documents or jewels be scrapped? Of course not – so why these books?
The Manchester Central Library was built in the Great Depression as a symbol of hope, its vast circular inscription reading “exalt wisdom and she shall promote thee”. Maybe, before they destroy any more books, the powers that be should stop and read that inscription for a second. At least it’s one set of words that can’t be pulped – I hear stone’s is hell to pick out of a shredder.
What do you think? Should books be pulped or kept?
Out on Thursday “Thursday Thoughts” where I post my latest newspaper column to my blog…*
Nikki Owen - author & columnist 
Books should never be pulped. I understand the matter of space, but surely there is better use for them than that. I truly hope that books never lose their special place in human tradition; they’ve been passed down for so many generations. They hold the answers to all the things we’ve forgotten about our histories. Even fiction books hold value in the culture, the writing styles. I respect ebooks – they are a good alternative. But the day books are abolished… well, I feel like I’d completely lose my passion for writing ):
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Cracking comment! I agree so much with losing books equals losing a passion for writing. A good reader maketh a good writer. Have a great weekend – hopefully reading!
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Perhaps a big book fair could be done with them, or else donated to schools and other institutions, something like that. Anything that isn’t wanted because it’s out of date (if these are nonfiction) or anything in a poor state should be recycled into something else. If only humans weren’t so lazy and weren’t so guided by money – I guess getting them places or turning them into something else would cost money.
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Donating the books to schools – that’s a fantastic idea. Makes far more sense. Contact all the libraries – quick! Cheers for commenenting & have a lovely weekend.
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