SIR,

I wonder if your readers are aware that Cardiff City

Council is proposing to break up and sell a major national

heritage research collection of historical rare books dating

from the 15th century?

Given to the people of Wales, the sale represents a

major breach of trust with the people who bequeathed

their personal collections to the City and will jeopardize

such future generosity.

Bonhams, the London auctioneers, have already

been employed and the first sales are scheduled to take

place in early November.

 I understand books of Welsh interest are to be

included in the preliminary sales. The collection is

significant and important; it contains the first printed map

of Wales, Wales-related Shakespeare volumes, the original

works of the Cardiff Farmers Club collections plus pre-

1501 editions, tracts from the civil war, early printed

bibles and atlases, and private press editions.

The very title of the Council's own report, Disposal

of Surplus Library Stock (January 2007), is misleading as it

implies that the stock is 'surplus' to requirements.

This report suggests that such research collections

are underused - but the materials are uncatalogued and

unpromoted; there has been nothing on the library's

website.

I understand that Cardiff University Library has

offered assistance to house, maintain and catalogue the

collection without cost to the Council (the offer was

ignored) and apply for grants to make the collection

accessible as an educational resource.

It is, therefore, an issue of grave concern that such a

collection (a potential focal point, not just for Cardiff , but

for all Wales ) is to be sold and decimated for no apparent

reason. The Council denies the sale is 'in order to meet a

short term funding issue', nor to help pay for the new

library building.

Properly catalogued, investigated and promoted, the

collection could allow greater understanding and

appreciation of our cultural heritage. If your readers agree

that this unnecessary sale is disgraceful, I urge them to

write, as I have, to David Davies, our MP; the AM; Cllr

Howells: (Councillor Nigel Howells, Executive Member

Sport, Leisure, Culture, Executive Support Office, Cardiff

City Council, County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, CF10

4UW.

Gail Blick

(Trellech)