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Dear Sir,

In response to the newspaper article appearing in the Bermuda Sun on Friday November 28, 2008: The Bermuda National Library is trusted not only with the duty to disseminate information but to educate, and correct misinformation when we can.

Contrary to the comments written in the above mentioned article, The Bermuda Collection is not all boxed away and inaccessible. There is a ready reference collection available for use by the public with more books available upon request. It may be that the researcher is simply unaware of the policies that have been in place since 1997. This policy was established after an inventory was undertaken and it was discovered that we were losing Bermuda books faster than we could replace them. As this loss was not limited to books in print, the decision was made to remove the older and out-of-print books from the general shelves into a Closed Collection. These policies are explained on our website (www.bnl.bm) at http://www.bermudanationallibrary.bm/technical_bermudiana.php

The Closed Collection has been well used by many researchers and students. The Bermuda National Library follows guidelines established by other national libraries for access to these books and we have never refused access to a patron. Even now, with the additional restrictions on the collection, as some of the collection is, indeed, in storage, we have not refused access to any of the Bermuda materials that have been requested. The only area where we are unable to assist students is with queries relating to the general collection and that is why the Youth division remains strongly in use by our Middle and Primary School students.

We agree with Mr. Burchall that there is not enough room for a researcher to spread out all of his work and still ensure the right of privacy. We have no easy solution for that problem. Even with both floors of the Adult Library fully operational, space for a researcher to spread out is severely limited.

The claim that the 400th anniversary researchers are unable to access the relevant information held by the Bermuda National Library is also false. Three of the researchers working on that project have been working in close contact with the Librarians for several weeks and we believe that they would have a more accurate commentary on the restrictions on their research.

Wrong assumption

An assumption was made - that the information they are seeking is located in published books. This assumption is not only wrong but frustrating to our staff, as an entire section of our collection, which has not been affected by the closure of the upper floor, has been so easily dismissed.

We work for the public, here and aboard, to help them learn more about Bermuda; in doing so, we learn more ourselves. Anonymous comments implying the lack of service given by certain individuals has inflicted some damage. Why should our staff continue to strive, to help answer every question, if this is what is believed about their work and their work ethic? Why? Because that is what we do; we seek the answers, and we are glad to share the knowledge; but it is hard to find joy in a job when misinformation is printed as fact, and no one questioned the statements that were made at the time of their utterance.

With regard to the building, this was a case of unfortunate timing. While the preparations were being made to start the work on the building in May, the Ministry of Works & Engineering had to shift their focus to work on other priorities. In addition, it was discovered that the actual scope of the work to be carried out was much greater than originally anticipated.

While we are concerned over the length of time this project has taken, we are equally glad that, our Minister, the Hon. Dale Butler, JP MP and the Ministry of Works & Engineering are ensuring that care is being taken of our, and the public's, health. The problems experienced in that upper level were never fully realised by the general public and it is with reluctance that we point out this fact. The solution to the many problems experienced in the upper level was not as simple as vacuuming the carpet, but involved many stages of removal and replacement of damaged building materials, all carried out under the observation of the Government Safety and Health Office.

The project is proceeding on the timeline established by the professionals assisting in the proper cleaning and remediation of that floor. To state otherwise would not be fair to all the workmen who have carried out their tasks in a timely and thorough manner.

C. Joanne Brangman

Head Librarian

Bermuda National Library

[email protected]

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