BFI Library and viewing service - forthcoming changes

[m35541]

Users of the BFI library might care to know that, as a result of cost-cutting, the BFI intend to move it from its current locale (near Tottenham Court Road tube) to the South Bank.

Most of the library collection will still apparently be at its old site and therefore off-site. I am not sure what this will mean for accessing about 95% of the material but the lead time on getting something will presumably be several hours (maybe you'll have to book in advance anything other than this month's Sight and Sound !!)

The Special Collections will apparently no longer be available to access in London but a separate research room will be set up in Berkhamsted where the material is actually located (Berkhamsted in the middle of nowhere somewhere to the left of Hemel Hempstead). This will obviously reduce access for anyone who can't use public transport and mean a days outing needed to look at anything in these collections.

The viewing service (allowing you to request and view prints of films) is also apparently moving from St Stephen's to Berkhamsted.

According to a library staff person i spoke to about 50% of them are going to be made redundant. Those remaining will also I think not be able to help researchers locate material anymore (which they used to do for a small fee).

This is all to happen later this year. The implication from the internal BFI memo is that they need to current library space in order to park their replacement of the Film Council quango.

[Film Man]

Lets all hope the 'American Film Institute' (a proper archive) take over the joint and let us all enjoy what has gathered dust for years!
Film Man,

[didi-5]

Silly idea. Why on earth would you travel to somewhere where there are no decent transport links?!

[torinfan]

There's a few things BFI has in special collections I want to see and can't.