Linenhall Library a jewel in our crown

WELL done to the Belfast Telegraph and Fionola Meredith in particular for making us aware of the current situation at the Linenhall Library. It is in my opinion, the real jewel in the crown of Belfast, both historically and intellectually.

It is true that you can find out virtually anything from the internet, however, having used the Linenhall Library for research many times, I must pay tribute to the incredible staff employed there. They are prepared to go above and beyond the service one receives from any other library and deserve much credit for this. It must not fail.

I would be the last person to promote the library as a ‘tourist attraction’, but I think both the Tourist Board and the Arts Council have a responsibility to publicise the fact that we have this wonderful facility and then allow visitors and locals to decide whether they want to go there.

It seems to me that unless there is a political slant to anything artistic, it has no chance of getting any publicity, never mind money. I really believe that both boards should limit giving money to any of the arts and use their resources to promote all the amazing facilities we have available to enjoy, then let the people decide if they want to see them.

We have a fabulous mix of museums, parks and sites of interest, but it appears to me that most tourists, particularly those on cruise ships, have been hijacked by a small group of enterprising people with their own agenda for making money to the detriment of other institutions and giving a very limited view of what Northern Ireland has to offer.

It is vital that the Arts Council and Tourist Board take control and address this problem without delay.

DAVID SCOTT By email