Library services

The three-month campaign promoting reading and the use of public libraries (TMID, 31 March) must be integrally linked with the library education of all staff concerned.

I have travelled abroad and studied in all major universities but never ever have I entered and tried to work in such a ‘horrid’ situation as in Maltese libraries, including unfortunately, one may add, the University library – noise, picnicking, drinking, collective ‘bazaar’ meetings, loud discussions including staff-gossiping.

It is/was (?) just appalling. Reporting did not help at all. At the Bibljoteka Nazzjonali (which is a gem of culture) the situation is a disaster. I am just horrified when I am constrained to make use of its services, something which I rarely do nowadays. Unfortunately, I must admit that to bypass this situation sometimes I make use of the services of my close friends and students.

I hope that the Education Minister may look into this question seriously.

Dr Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci

Lecturer, Artist

Department of History of Art

Faculty of Arts

University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq