There have been reports in the press suggesting that the Library of Birmingham photography collections have been 'saved'. This is not the case and the following statement helpful:
Dr Michael Pritchard, Director-General, The Royal Photographic Society commented: "Having sought clarification about the situation The RPS understands from sources within Birmingham City Council that, contrary to some recent press reports, the four posts of those working with the photography collections held at the Library of Birmingham have not been 'saved'.
The Society understand that about five posts will be saved across the whole library. These will be divided between the Children's Library, the Music Library and the Archives Heritage and Photography Department. No specific details of any of these posts or their allocation within the overall service has yet been announced.
There is currently therefore no proposal for a specific post that is responsible for the photography collections nor any other requiring the specialist knowledge required to manage them.
The RPS remains very concerned that the internationally important photography collections held at the Library of Birmingham therefore remain at risk with no substantive proposal from the Council to secure public access to them, or one which would ensure the provision of appropriate resources to catalogue, interpret and conserve and provided informed access for current and future generations".
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