The BIALL Blog

Following a previous post on the proposed merger of the Middle and Inner Temple Libraries. BIALL President Elect Daniella King has prepared a document outlining some of BIALL's concerns about the proposed mergers. The full document is available on the BIALL Website, the key points from the document follow:

• If all the facilities were under one roof, would there be enough space to cater for the hundreds of visitors who come every year
• Middle Temple has 14 professional members of staff, while 9 are employed by Inner Temple. A merger will inevitably involve redundancies
• Both Libraries have significant although slightly different collections, where would these kept and how would they be organised,
• The demands on each Library are growing: the number of inquiries is demonstrably increasing. This would imply that they are both essential – wouldn’t closing one be seen as a retrograde move.
  

Both libraries are regarded as a crucial resource by their users and an integral part of the life and history of their Inns. Happy and successful libraries equate to happy and successful chambers.

BIALL feels that if any changes are introduced, this should be done for the right reason and not just in response to financial imperatives. It is of vital importance that this issue is fully consulted upon to ensure that the correct decision is made. BIALL is therefore encouraging members who use these facilities to contribute their feedback to this process and also encourage barristers, clerks and students to do the same.