On the agenda today are historic Edzell library, digital radio, Scottishness, a Lib Dem road safety campaign and Christianity.
National importance of Edzell library
Sir,-I write about the closure of Inglis Memorial Hall Library, Edzell, primarily in connection with the historic library there, gifted to the community in 1898 and which still survives intact.
I am a former chair of the Library and Information History Group. In that capacity in 2004 I cooperated with Dr Peter Reid at Robert Gordon University on a project in which his students undertook a study of this important library.
At that time, the then head of library services in Angus assured me that the library would be preserved and that it would be available for study by researchers.
I understand that this will continue to be the case, although the library will, in future, be staffed by volunteers.
Voluntary involvement is to be welcomed. Scotland can claim to be a key founder of the modern information society and has a tradition of library provision stretching back to the late 17th century.
However, there is a need for expert professional involvement to properly develop this library-museum. Its significance extends far beyond Edzell.
Britain has no museum of librarianship expressing in physical terms how public libraries developed and, because of the disappearance of artefacts over the past 50 years, Edzell is the nearest we have in the UK now to a museum of librarianship. There is only one other like it in the UK which is on Anglesey.
Edzell’s contents include a historic book issue system, the Cotgreave Indicator, which is still in working order. There is now an important opportunity for the people of Edzell and the local authority to develop a unique national museum of librarianship which would, among other things, extend the village’s tourist attractions.
(Dr) John Crawford.Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals,21 Polbae Crescent,Glasgow.
Out of tune, out of pocket
Sir,-In the inter-war period when the electrical system was changed from DC to AC, the government freely provided such apparati as organ blowers and laboratory equipment where these were necessary. I presume that when FM radio disappears the ministry will buy me a new DAB radio for my car.
Robert Lightband.40 Clepington Court,Dundee.
Shame of loud-mouthed Scots
Sir,-Magnus Wylie (April 7) urges me to go south of the border to join the “anti-Scots brigade”.
That is one of the Scottish misconceptions I do my best to counter. If there is an anti-Scots brigade south of the Border, I have yet to meet it.
However, there is more than just an anti-English brigade north of the Border. It is a monstrous, bigoted tartan army living in a distorted view of the past.
I reckon I am more of a Scottish patriot than Mr Wylie or any of his kind.
I write more in sorrow than in anger at the way in which justified pride in our Scottish ancestry, our talents, virtues and achievements, has deteriorated into a travesty of Scottishness, the “here’s tae us, wha’s like us” attitude of so many who exhibit their so-called patriotism in loutish behaviour and uncalled-for hostility towards their English neighbours.
George K. McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
Lib Dems’ A90 safety failure
Sir,-It is with disbelief that I keep reading of the attempts by the Lib Dems to get a grade-separated junction at Laurencekirk. Laudable but was it not laudable when the party shared power with Labour?
Was it laudable when the then Transport Minister Tavish Scott took a decision to introduce a 50mph speed restriction costing, I believe, in excess of £250,000. Was that money well spent or money down the drain now that the same former minister is calling for a flyover?
(Cllr) Sandy West.Bridge of Dun,Montrose.
Evidence of persecution
Sir,-There are those amongst us who may think Christians exaggerate when they talk about persecution but after reading George K. McMillan’s spiteful letter complaining about Easter events in Perth, they may be changing their minds.
Would this defender of minorities have rushed so quickly to put pen to paper if another group had been involved in the events he found so objectionable or does, as I suspect, his idea of multiculturalism not extend itself to a religion which has been part of life in these islands for nearly two millennia?
John R. Nicoll.7c Queen Street,Broughty Ferry.
Opportunities for all faiths
Sir,-In response to Mr Burrows’ and Mr McMillan’s anti-Christian views (April 6) I would like to ask, were the other faiths forbidden to demonstrate their beliefs? Christianity envelops all faiths and will listen to all beliefs without condemnation.
Elizabeth Stewart.23 Burrelton Gardens,Dundee.