LETTER:Theological library finds a welcome home at Lambeth Palace
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr John Oddy
Sir: Please allow me to challenge Major-General John Hardy's description of Sion College's finances and implied denigration of its library cataloguing ("Library break-up provokes ungodly row", 9 June). An institution with pounds 600,000 in investments can scarcely have "run out of money". Moreover, its building has a tenant, the City Livery Club, which pays for all external repairs except stonework, and maintains the decor of the parts it uses.
The College has never even been expected to pay its way: it is a charity that has received, and still receives, valuable gifts of books and money. Previous Courts have managed to raise additional funds: eg, the College was able by this means to meet half, as planned, of the total sum needed for installing mobile bookstacks in the late 1980s.
The present Court panicked to find a way out. Add the disgraceful apathy of all but a valiant handful of the 80 or so Fellows and you have the current desperate, anti-intellectual, anti-religious haste to short-circuit the problem by breaking up the valuable and convenient scholarly library (which, incidentally, extends far beyond theology) and selling the building that was meant as a centre for fellowship.
Yours faithfully,
JOHN ODDY
Kings Lynn, Norfolk
10 June
The writer was Library Reorganisation Project Officer, Sion College, 1987-90.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments