Library crisis threat to Science Museum staff

Library staff at the Science Museum in London face the threat of losing their jobs, and the library's unique collections being lost. The museum is suffering a financial crisis and can no longer afford the upkeep of its collections, which includes original works by Galileo, Newton and Einstein.

Former Tory Treasury Minister and Science Museum trustees chairman Lord Waldegrave said the museum is "facing a crisis", which could lead to 11 museum librarians losing their jobs and the collection being split between three sites.

A spokesperson for the museum said the Imperial College, which currently hosts the library, wants the library maintenance relationship between the two organisations to become a "more commercial environment". Currently the library costs the museum £750,000 a year in costs.

In a letter to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Lord Waldegrave said the museum has been receiving government funding below the level of inflation. The museum is setting up an independent inquiry to assess the museum's finances and its opportunities. "We would like the collections to stay with the Imperial College where we can provide good access," said Stephen Bromberg, communications manager at the Science Museum.

He added that the museum is considering a range of options including splitting the collection into three, with parts being shared between the British Library, Imperial College and the museum. "The collections will be divided according to topic," he said.

The independent inquiry will take nine months to report - meanwhile, the museum is seeking further funding from the Department of Culture, Media and Sports.

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