Claudia Calleja
Priceless books rot due to lack of funds
Lions Club Sliema in book salvage operation
Hundreds of books at the National Library are crying out for restoration. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Priceless books, dating back to the time of the Knights of St John, are rotting away because the National Library in Valletta does not have any money to restore these precious documents.
Hundreds of books, most shelved in the library's main reading room, are crying out for restoration. For all those who walk into the library the pitiful situation speaks volumes: tattered book spines, detached pages and insect drillings.
But the library does not have a budget to restore the books and special machinery it had was moved to the Bighi restoration centre 10 years ago. Since the move, in fact, the National Library could only carry out minor repairs, such as fixing spines and book cleaning but no major restoration was done on any of the books, sources pointed out.
The library would have to pay for restoration at the Bighi centre, the sources said, but had been left without funding and adequate equipment.
The Education Ministry's coordinator for library projects, Henry Cachia, confirmed that there was no specific budget for restoration at the National Library.
However, a spokesman for the minister said: "The Library Department, when allocating the funds voted to it in the national Budget, always devotes a portion for book restoration." He did acknowledge that more needed to be done.
The state of the books bears this out. Though most of the library's 750,000 books are in a good state, there are hundreds of old tomes - dating between the 16th and 18th centuries - that are literally turning into dust.
Mr Cachia said: "The process is time-consuming, expensive and requires specialised expertise... If the National Library had the specialised equipment (and personnel) it would certainly be able to carry out major restoration work".
And some of the equipment is not all that expensive. A so-called casting machine, which could help fill in tears and insect-burrowed holes, costs €10,000.
Luckily, there are silver linings. The Lions Club Sliema has embarked on a National Library Book Restoration Project expected to be officially launched today in collaboration with Heritage Malta.
The salvage operation will start with the €9,000 restoration of three books from the Hortus Romanus, an eight volume collection of valuable botanical engravings published between 1772 and 1793. The National Library has seven of the eight volumes and it is believed that no library in the world holds all eight editions. One of the three books has already been restored after being sponsored by the club that wants to set the example to entice other companies and individuals to sponsor a book.
"Different books will need different restoration processes and the cost will vary... For this reason a list of books needing restoration will show an estimate of the cost for the sponsors to choose from," Lions Club Sliema's project chairman Victor Borg Barthet said.
"Every book has a history... This history will now include the name of the person who shouldered the expense of preserving it for posterity," he said explaining that a small label will mark the identity of the book's benefactor.
Incoming Lions Club Sliema president Alfred Micallef Attard said the club was committed to fulfilling its civic role.
Throughout the years it has sponsored various long-term projects that included the restoration of frescos at St Agatha catacombs in Rabat, the initiation of the organ donation campaign in 1993 and the eye bank in 2003.
Anyone interested in saving a book, or more, can contact the Lions Club Sliema on 9948 5696.
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Joe Xuereb
Dec 28th 2011, 00:33
In Malta, philistinism reigns from the top down (i.e., how many MPs are competent in the portfolio's contents that is entrusted in them? The Maltese never struck me as being a particularly bookish people (to be fair I can think of few peoples who are keen readers of anything much, especially these days). This - regarding the Maltese nation's reading track-record is reflected in the sorry state of our primary language, Maltese. How many people would think of wandering into the library to experience the pleasure of being in the company of books, and look in awe at the spines of books on shelves, behind the mesh-wire, literally hundreds of years old. It just is not part of their consciousness never mind their daily lives. Apart from partisan newspapers (which are not easy to read because so convoluted - I know, I have tried, and after a few minutes I get a headache. If it weren't for the Times of Malta (English language newspaper) I am not sure I could cope). So yes, many clamour for something to be done about our printed heritage but beyond that, there is no real heartfelt commitment. Just another flavour of the week. Or should I say, of the day. Soonest forgotten!
I have just noticed that this article is dated 28th May 2010. Which is just as well. I wonder how much progress has been done?
Joe Fenech
May 30th 2010, 23:11
Malta ZERO POINTS!
Robert Mizzi
May 30th 2010, 18:06
Whilst I applaud such an initiative, I cannot but emphasise that relying on the general public to save our national published heritage is indeed a sorry state of affairs. This shows that apart from the rhetoric speeches, there is a lot to be done by the authorities concerned to bring us in line with other coutries who can boast of state-of-the-art national library services that not only ensure that their national heritage is well preserved for future generations, but offer a wide array of services for the benefit of users. I have personally visited a number of National Libraries and even virtual visits through their excellent websites reveal how much ground we have to cover to catch up. It is such a pity when one considers the wealth of knowledge and historical facts we have available. May this serve as a wake-up call to all concerned and may we start getting our priorities right! Somehow, I feel that this is the crux of the problem...
m.farrugia
May 29th 2010, 22:05
Kulhadd qiefhed isemmi il-gvern u il-hela tal-flus. Is-sitwazzjoni li fiha tinsab il-librerija nazzjonali hafna mit-tort huwa ta min kien imexxi gġax ma hax hsieb l-affarijiet minkejja li kellu flus. Kellu l-equipment u hallih jitlaq min idejh u meta kellu l-equipment ma hax hsieb bizzejjed. Min ilablab fil-vojt ghandu ikun jaf kif kienu imexxi certa mexxejja tal-librerija fil-past kemm remot u anki vicin.
Robert Mizzi
May 30th 2010, 17:08
Sur Farrugia, Filwaqt li naqbel li qed jinghad hafna paroli minn nies li qatt ma kitbu linja sabiex is-sitwazzjoni fil-libreriji Maltin titjieb, irrid infakkrek li t-tmexxija tad-dipartiment tal-libreriji giet kkonfermata ghall darba darbtejn mill ministru koncernat, anke jekk il-ministru kien jaf li s-sitwazzjoni sejra mill-hazin ghall-aghar. Il-ministri ma jistghux jippuppaw meta jsir xi haga u meta l-affarijiet fir-responsabilita taghhom ma jimxux sew jistahbew!!!
Joe Fenech
May 29th 2010, 13:55
L-aqwa li ghandna il-flus ghall-Eurovision!
Stefan Kottmann
May 29th 2010, 09:40
Why do I have a feeling that at least half the people who are complaining about how Malta finds funds for the eurovision and the city gate project and not these books, actually never entered the national library but watched the eurovision national final, semi final and final every year and grumble at the sight of city gate every time they enter Valletta?
victor pulis
May 29th 2010, 08:24
I said it before and I'll keep repeating it. Our PRIORITIES are mixed up big time. We squander millions in frivolities and fatten the pay checks of certain people and yet we cannot find the funds to save our heritage. Once we lose these priceless books there's no way we could get them back. Unfortunately there are some who couldn't care less and consider these books as just pieces of paper. BARBARIANS.You are destroying our culture and heritage
Joseph Vella Bondin
May 29th 2010, 07:55
Wisq nibza' li l-problema hi bil-wisq aktar kbira u kritika. Meta kont qed naghmel ir-ricerka wiesa' li waslitni biex nikteb il-kotba tieghi dwar l-istorja tal-muzika f'Malta, kelli bzonn nikkonsulta numru kbir ta' arkivji minn kull rokna ta' Malta. Bl-eccezzjoni ta' xi wiehed jew tnejn, sibt li l-istat ta' konsevazzjoni tad-dokumenti/kotba mizmuma fihom generalment kienet hazina u xi ezamplari imprezzabbli u li jmorru lura ghal tlieta u erba' sekli anqas biss setghu jinqraw jew kienu qed jitmermru faccata faccata. Dan kien aktar minn ghaxar snin ilu. U nahseb li minn dak iz-zmien id-deterjorament zdied sustanzjalment. U f'hafna kazi l-materjal mhux biss hu wirt taghna l-Maltin imma wirt tal-umanita. Allura naqbel li jekk il-prijorita tal-gvern hi li jonfoq flusna fi progetti ta' importanza sekondarja, ghandha tigi studjata l-possibilita li certu materjal arkivjali jigi mghoddi taht certi kondizzjonijiet lil arkivji barranin li cert japprezzawh bil-wisq aktar minna.
J Portelli
May 29th 2010, 07:09
NO CULTURE = GONZI PN!!
l.farrugia
May 28th 2010, 23:53
Hafna biki tal-kukkudrilli mill-istess klikka ta nies li mohhom biss fil-politika u ma ghandhomx biex jghidew jew inkella ma jafux jitkellmu bis-serjeta. Hafna minn dawn in-nies issibom fil-meetings b'halqom miftuh berah ma jkunx hemm xi haga li ma jibilawiex.
I.Calleja
May 28th 2010, 23:35
what about the 80million or so about the Valletta entrance project, neew parliament and the famous roofless theatre!! If only 500,000 euros were dedicated to restoring these priceless books......if....if!!! Wrong priorities once again!! for a change.....!!! Authorities wake up.....we have already ruined the environment...lets not lose the other last remaining thing...our precious history!! These books are part of our very very rich history!!
Mark Zerafa
May 28th 2010, 21:35
And yet the country can afford to squander Eur400,000 on the Eurovision Song Contest! PATHETIC!!!
E Vella
May 28th 2010, 19:20
naqbel ma hafna milli qed tghidu u naqbel ukoll li l-Gvern jonfoq hafna flus bla bzonn ukoll.
izda hawn Malta kulhadd irid il-flus minghand l-gvern. min ghal Eurovision, sports, annimali, ambjent, toroq, sahha u edukazzjoni, etc etc u issa l-kotba.
jien haga nghid... li kieku kull persuna f'Malta jhallas it-taxxi li suppost ghandu jhallas minghajr ma jisraq VAT u taxxa dovuta... kiekul-gvern isibha iktar facli biex jaghti fondi ghal hafna iktar affarijiet. flok ingergru BISS, ejja naghmlu idejna fuq l-kuxjenza ukoll.
lgalea
May 28th 2010, 23:47
E Vella Jien ngħid li kieku l-Gvern ta' Gonezi ma jberbaqx it-taxxi li jiġbor kienu jsiru ħafna u ħafna aktar affarijiet ta' ġid għall-poplu kollu.
Raymond Farrugia
May 28th 2010, 19:18
These are not only Malta's heirloom. Wehave a responsibility towards all humanity. If we cannot source the money it is better to give them to a foreign library. At least we can save them for future generations. I'm certainly not happy saying this considering that somehow we always manage to find money for the Queen and the Pope.
Deo Catania
May 28th 2010, 18:44
Qed taraw xi Prim Ministru ghandna hux? imissu jisthi, dan ma jafx bihom dal-hnizrijiet? Jaf imma jigi jaqa u jqum, mill-kotba m'hemmx gwadan. U ghal min qed isemmi l-eurovision tkunux kretini, semmu it-80,000,000 li se jberbaq Gonzi ghax minnhom m'ahna se niehdu xejn.
Chris Grillo
May 28th 2010, 18:20
As a book lover... Government of Malta - 0 points!!! EJJEW INSALVAW WIRTNA!!!! Hawn nies bhali li lesti jaghtu donations ghal dawn il kotba??? DAWN IMPREZZABLI !
martin saliba
May 28th 2010, 17:58
And its ok to spend LM 16,000 on a clock.
René Micallef
May 28th 2010, 17:39
How about contacting Google Books? They may be interested in paying for restoration and maintenance of some of the rarer books if they are given the rights to publish them on the internet.
J. Borg
May 28th 2010, 20:45
good point.......bright ideas seem lacking in parliamentary quarters....
mario gellel
May 28th 2010, 17:30
MELA Mr.MONEY NO PROBLEM MA GHADUX MAGHNA??????
J. J. Borg
May 28th 2010, 16:12
Nilghab imhatra illi kieku kellna nonfqu 10,000 Ewro fuq dawn il-kotba, hafna minn n-nies li qed jikkummentaw igergru li l-flus imisshom intefqu fuq xi haga ohra. Jew irridu xi referendum fuq dawn il-kotba ukoll?
Joe Cassar
May 28th 2010, 15:14
I believe that some years ago, a substantial sum was voted to the library for book and document restoration. Instead, somebody decided to use the funds to restore the facade, as it was more visible and afforded more photo opportunities.
Alexander Morana
May 28th 2010, 15:07
SHAME!
I hope at least these books were put on Micro -film or an electronic chip e-books which is cheaper? Once they are gone, they are gone forever.
James A. Tyrrell
May 28th 2010, 14:41
A lot of countries don't have the privilege of owning books dating back to the 16th and 18th centuries. The fact that Malta has such books and is allowing them to rot is a national disgrace.
Frans Gauci
May 28th 2010, 16:23
Feel free to donate some of your foreign savings if you feel so strongly about this.
Charles Zammit
May 28th 2010, 14:37
Gieh is Republika lil John Bundy for Pajjiz tal Mickey Mouse and yes 12 Points !!!!
M Vella
May 28th 2010, 16:36
With you Charles 100%
Anna Farrugia
May 28th 2010, 14:05
The former mayor of Zurrieq, Mr Ignatius Farrugia, loving informs us that the government should allocate more than E400,000 for the Eurovision! What a farce! What intelligence! Such brightness blinds me! Then we are told that pricelss books are rotting away as there isn't enough money to salvage them! This 'gentleman' choose the Eurovision visavie books written centuries ago which books no one can get copies of!
Victor Laiviera
May 28th 2010, 15:11
Why pick on Farrugia and his opinion in favour of the Eurovison? Why not, for example, say something about the many thousands of Ewro being wasted on full-page adverts in all papers intended to make us believe that the new Power Station Extension will make the air smell of roses?
Frans Gauci
May 28th 2010, 16:26
Victor Laiviera: maybe if the country still looked like it did under Labour administrations there would have been some money left over for book repairs.
Victor Laiviera
May 28th 2010, 19:16
@ Mr Gauci
You mean from The Posterity Fund that Labour had set up and which evaporated when the PN took over?
http://docs.justice.gov.mt/lom/legislation/english/subleg/204/02.pdf
victor vella
May 28th 2010, 20:12
Iva Victor, il posterity fund li intnefah u waqt li bilkemm sibna x nixtru fil hwienet.
Charles Callus
May 28th 2010, 12:47
There's our history, rotting.
Malta, no points!
John Micallef
May 28th 2010, 11:47
10,000 euros for a machine and we cannot find money for it - yet we easily fork out 400,000 euros to participate in the Eurovision - together with other non priorities. Disgusting state of affairs, this country is in. Where are our priorities?
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
May 28th 2010, 11:39
L-importanti li nisparpaljaw il-flus billi nistupraw Bieb il-Belt u floku noholqu mostrozita li hadd ma jrid, nibnu aberrazzjoni moderna f'sit li hu Wirt Storiku Dinji u xorta nhallu t-tigrif li jmissu jhammar wicc kull politiku Malti. Tassew Filistini
Frans Sammut
May 28th 2010, 20:47
You can say that again. The state of old books at the National Library is deteriorating fast. Something has to be done and fast.
Adrian Vella
May 28th 2010, 11:22
If we cannot take care of these books, then, unfortunately, we would be better off selling some of them to get the necessary funds to take care of the rest. I understand that some of them are priceless but they wil not remain so if they are ruined completely. Half a loaf is better than no bread.
Oscar Cassar
May 28th 2010, 11:20
Sitwazzjoni ohra tal-biki hija fil-kas ta kotba u dokumenti mizmumha f'Santu Spiertu - Rabat Malta meta dan il-post ghandu certu hitan umduzu u b'nuqqas kbir ta ventilazzjoni minhabba ammont kbir ta xkaffar. Il-post huwa meravilja izda mhux adekwat bhala 'mahzen' ta dokumenti storici. Dan qed iwassal biex b'mod aktar minn nomal, il-karti jkunu deterjorati.
Joanne Micallef
May 28th 2010, 11:19
This means that our Goverment must think that spending millions on a roofless theatre and new parlament premises is far more important than saving these priceless books right??????????????
C.Sammut
May 28th 2010, 11:17
This is a shame. Perhaps local Banks can commission such a project?
Eddie Attard
May 28th 2010, 11:00
Shame
Joseph Vassallo
May 28th 2010, 10:52
(1) "special machinery it had was moved to the Bighi restoration centre 10 years ago".
(2) "The library would have to pay for restoration at the Bighi centre"
Who owns/runs the Bighi restoration centre?
Did the equipment belong to the library or not?
Was it paid for the equipment it no longer has?
Can someone "in the know" please explain?
This is heritage that is being destroyed and future generations will curse us for it.
J. Borg
May 28th 2010, 10:46
but alas...as long as we get Eur.80,000 to spend on the nearby square....and much more on a new parliament building....
A Grech
May 28th 2010, 10:46
Let me choose between the Eurovision farce or saving a piece of our precious history.....?
lgalea
May 28th 2010, 10:43
And yet the incompetent and arrogant Gonezi Government wants to spend more than €80,000,000 for a city gate without a gate, a Parliament on stilts as used by circus clowns perhaps to tell the people to what Parliament has been reduced under his administration and a roofless theatre!!!!!
M.Gauci
May 28th 2010, 17:09
JOe VELLa
May 28th 2010, 10:34
What a shame!
This is the history of a people being lost for every.
We are spending billions of Euro on everything. Is in it not possible that the Government elected by the People see to it to take care of our national heritage.
Eric Gahn
May 28th 2010, 10:34
Another good use for the wasted Eur400,000. There was more to be gained spending them here than Eurovision. Tal misthijja.