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The Malta Historical Society is concerned about certain rules and practices at the National Library which are encouraging serious readers to shun the Library as much as possible, if not to give up research altogether.
The Society wishes to make it clear that it views favourably the enactment of “Regulations 2001”. The tightening of measures regulating access to the Library was long overdue: consequently, the rules falling under “Conditions of Access” are most welcome. The same, however, cannot be said of some sections which refer to the “Consultation of Library material”.
In particular, objections by various readers have been raised during the last years to the rule that newspapers can be viewed only on microfilm – this has now become rule number 9. Apart from the fact that the service of microfilm reading leaves much to be desired, the refusal to allow the viewing of newspapers in the original is time-consuming and, under another aspect, counter-productive. The holdings of the National Library are highly vulnerable to the ravages of bookworm, the more so that for many, many years the Library has not employed any book cleaners. Therefore, the only way to lessen the infestation of bookworm is to allow the handling of the bound volumes by serious readers.
As things stand, no library official is empowered to make exceptions to rule 9. On various occasions, frustrated readers have suggested to library officials the introduction, if needs be, of a special permit, but no steps have ever been taken to mitigate the severity of rule 9.
Another rule which hurts serious researchers is rule number 4 which states that: “A researcher is not allowed to request more than eight manuscripts or books per day” even when the library is open for 9 _ hours between October and June. Surely, this rule lightens the workload of the library material. Is the staff employed to serve the public, or is the researcher expected to work by fits and starts to suit the convenience of the staff? Here again, no library official is empowered to bend the rigidity of the rule, not even in the most deserving cases.
What is even more irritating to library readers is the inaccessibility of library material during working hours. The Melitensia books which form part of the Galea Bequest are invariably denied to researchers whenever the Director is not on the premises, as they happen to be stored in his room. Moreover, the library material in the locked filing cabinets is not accessible to readers if the staff member in charge of the keys happens to be on leave, on sick leave, or out of the premises. This is unheard of in libraries the world over. As far as the Society is aware, no reader who has toured libraries abroad has ever been denied access to a book or document because of the absence of a member of the staff.
One may here add the fact that, instead of having employees taking their mid-day break in staggered groups, no deliveries are effected to researchers between 12.30pm and 1.15pm. A rather cumbersome system of payments for photocopying adds to frustration.
The library material, however precious it may be, is worthless if it is not properly studied and consulted. It is preserved precisely for this purpose and not to become a mere monument in an empty cemetery.
Dr Joseph F Grima
Hon Secretary
Malta Historical Society
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