SaveIWMLibrary

Supporters of the Imperial War Museum Library campaigned to secure its future- research services remain open & free! We will continue to monitor future threats.

[SaveIWMLibrary @Save_IWMLibrary]

Neither supporting research nor providing access to collections appear to be priorities @I_W_M as printed & document collections moved offsite. Historians explain the negative impact & urge museum to reconsider: https://t.co/EHsTVvbpnA Huge thanks to @warhist & all signatories

[Peter Hore @PeterGHore]

Sadly in common with other archives/museums who think dodgy curating and white space are more important than objective research - just look how IWM has dumbed down its collections webpages https://t.co/L6zuYXNrUp

[David Luck @bcerha1914]

@jbanningww1 @richardvanemden @Save_IWMLibrary Very sad, but unfortunately no great surprise. Scholarship and learning are not the drivers here - I'm afraid it's that usual culprit.....money☹️

[Christopher Pipe @cplrc]

It looks as if @I_W_M aren't interested in research. Is such indifference consistent with their foundation documents? https://t.co/bBhBqQ9Cby

[Dr Emma Hanna @DrEmmaHanna]

Love working at @IWM_Centenary, hate being exciled from research room 1-2pm!

[Peter Howson @petroshowson]

The changes in IWM policy on research makes me wonder whether there is not an argument for a funded research institute into 'war' that could take over the archives and make them accessible. Museums such as IWM and NAM could then get on with being 'theme parks.'

[Alan Wylie @wylie_alan]

@njdcardiff @johnbroom1970 @Save_IWMLibrary @warhist @JonathanBoff @RichardEvans36 @WW1POWs @bourke_joanna @I_W_M @DCMS In the same way that they haven’t intervened to halt the closure of 600+ public libraries, the loss of 10000 library workers & the destruction of specialist reserve stocks/collections etc

[SaveIWMLibrary @Save_IWMLibrary]

Printed & document collections @I_W_M can no longer be consulted on the day - collections moving offsite w/5 working day delivery time. Access to collections reduced, research more difficult & no access for casual museum visitor. Submit your feedback via: https://t.co/TN1NbDsjho

[Jonathan Ware @ReassessHistory]

This is a shameful, astonishing move by @I_W_M after the repeated #librarywars

Despicably reducing accessibility to students, enthusiasts, historians and amateurs in the heart of our capital.

#History
#Archive
#IWMclearlydoesntgiveafuckaboutournationalheritagedoesit https://t.co/r4JjXje5u3

[Chris Kempshall (Gone to Bluesky) @ChrisKempshall]

@JonathanBoff @AirPowerHistory @dmorganowen @Airminded @I_W_M And whilst I've never been to an archive on a whim; I have ordered extra material on the day on one because of what I found among the stuff I was reading. This is going to make that 'train of thought' style research difficult.

[Tim Halstead @TimHalstead5]

@MrCloughHistory @I_W_M Disagree no self respecting museum works as hard as the IWM does to make its archives inaccessible. #shallow @Save_IWMLibrary

[Nigel Atter MSc @nigel_atter]

@arcreuk @Save_IWMLibrary @I_W_M This is all about saving money? I remember the days when you could turn up on the day and order documents. The library was staffed to stay open over lunchtime. Service progressively worsened and that’s a management decison.

[Nigel Atter MSc @nigel_atter]

@Save_IWMLibrary @arcreuk @I_W_M that’s a really poor service and Logistically a pain. Looks like @I_W_M Determined to be rind of library. Shameful act of vandalism.

[Mary Walden-Till @HallRescue]

@Save_IWMLibrary @Taff_Gillingham @I_W_M So what can be done?

[SaveIWMLibrary @Save_IWMLibrary]

@HallRescue @Taff_Gillingham @I_W_M Plans to close library, disperse printed collections &/or charge for research room successfully stopped. However, since then research access has been reduced, services & staff cut. Now collections to be moved off site with 5 working day delivery time. Future not looking bright...

[SaveIWMLibrary @Save_IWMLibrary]

.@I_W_M holds over 20,000 individual collections of private papers, incl. unpublished diaries, letters &memoirs. Many donated to museum in belief this would ensure they remain available to future generations-new procedure creates barriers &reduces availability for museum visitors

[SaveIWMLibrary @Save_IWMLibrary]

All the cuts & reduction in services to date reduce promotion, awareness, footfall & use of research room. Moving collections off-site w/5 working day delivery time will only serve to reduce use further. Future of research services & library @I_W_M looking very bleak #librarycuts

[SaveIWMLibrary @Save_IWMLibrary]

.@I_W_M have reduced Research Room opening hours, closing Fri & Sat & 1-2pm daily, reduced opening hours of acclaimed Explore History which enables visitors to access collections &undertake research, cut library staff, cut library acquisitions &closed down remote enquiry service

[SaveIWMLibrary @Save_IWMLibrary]

@dmorganowen @JonathanBoff @AirPowerHistory @ProfPeterDoyle @Airminded @I_W_M @warhist No evidence plan saves money but does link to gallery redevelopment &need for space; however we know museum is keen to disperse of printed collections, close Library entirely, cut/charge for research room access &close 'Explore History’-so fear for future of collections &services