Keep the Library Open, say the Wallace Collection
February 15 2021
Picture: Pinterest
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
It seems that the management of the Wallace Collection in London have had a change of heart and have reversed their decision to close their library and archive services. The online petition set up by staff has reached over 28,000 signatures.
In a statement from the museum, director Dr Xavier Bray included the following lines:
These are unprecedented times. Like many institutions, the Wallace Collection has suffered a precipitous drop in our self-generated income due to the pandemic, and is now facing an uncertain financial future as we weather the next few years. Our visitor numbers have dropped from over 450,000 in 2019 – 2020, to a mere 26,000 in 2020 – 2021; this is a 95% drop in visitors to the Collection. As well as the deep sadness we feel in not being able to share our works of art with the public, the effect of this drop has been a commensurate decline in our income. We will have to make difficult decisions in the future to ensure our financial sustainability.
Click here to read the museum's statement in full.
