Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
org/post/agenda/the-landscape-institute-libraryarchive-is-under-threat-of-dispersal/
P 1 of 3
The Landscape Institute Library & Archive is under threat of dispersal |...http://www.gardenhistorysociety.org/post/agenda/the-landscape-institute-libraryarchive-is-under-threat-of-dispersal/
Past President Hal Moggeridge (OBE, VMH) delivered an heroic address which was received in determined silence by the Executive. He presented the chief executive with a rare copy of a booklet he had written and researched at the LI library, recording the origins of the Landscape Institute and the International Federation of Landscape Architects. He encouraged the chief executive to read the booklet and then safeguard it in the Institute library for future reference. The vote went in favour of saving the Archive, the Library and the staff post. But this does not guarantee that these are safe because Trustees have the final say. The prospect of dispersal of these invaluable collections aroused the attention of a broad church of supporters, including President of the GHS, Lady Lucinda Lambton; past president, Sir Roy Strong; Christopher Woodward, Director The Garden Museum; Christine Lalumia, Deputy Director The Geffrye Museum (GHS Council member); Ed Bennis ; Sheila Harvey MBE; Charles Birnbaum, The Cultural Landscape Foundation and Inga Grimsey, Director of the RHS. Discussions with potential recipients of the Archive revealed that whilst some might be willing to take on curation of the Archive (in fact a few would bite off our hands to get hold of it), each of these organisations urged LI members to lobby the Institute for retention of the Archive and Library as it is the cultural heart and collective memory of Landscape Architects everywhere. So: whither the Landscape Institute? We can sit back and allow this to happen or, in the words of aesthete Sir Harold Acton: fight the philistine. We have a choice and it is our choice, as members of the LI, to fight. In 1895 The Royal Horticultural Society sold its library whilst facing a financial crisis, they are still today buying back books that once formed a part of its collection then. As is known by free thinkers the world over the disposal, deliberate or otherwise, of a Library or Archive is undertaken by the philistine for fiscal or other reasons. It does not benefit advancement, understanding, peace or knowledge; values that are irreplaceable. Dominic Cole, an extract from a letter to his fellow LI members Tags: Landscape Institute Library | Category: Agenda | 1 Comment
One Comment
Gabino Carballo CMLI Says: April 20th, 2009 at 3:45 pm The sad thing is that we are bound to lose our archives and heritage not due to a financial crisis facing the Institute, but through and ethical and moral one. The LI has been grossly mismanaged and there is plenty of evidence of systemic wrongdoing to suggest that a inquiry into our affairs is much needed. It has been already proven that maintaining the Archives has virtually no impact on the LI finances, but the trustees appear to have taken this decision long time ago. They are just flushing it with other bad news. I have called written to the President of the LI about this matter and I am still awaiting reply. I would like the Police to intervene before it is too late. The truth is that we do not know why the Archive is being disposed of and for whose benefit this action is being taken An outrageous and disappointing move and another sad day for the world of Landscape and Garden Design.
P 2 of 3