Landscape Institute forced into 'U' turn with its library and archive

A group of Landscape Institute (LI) members have gained a sensational victory by forcing the LI to change its mind and retain its historic library and archive.

The LI had threatened to give away or sell-off its historic documents and artefacts in a bid to save a portion of the £700,000 deficit on its budgets.

The LI had set up a working party at the start of 2009 to consider all possible options for the future of the library and archive.

In the meantime, an independent group of members began considering the future of the collections, and has proposed that they be placed under the stewardship of an independently financed trust.

It is hoped that this trust will secure the long-term future of the library and archive and would ensure that control of the collections remained in the hands of professional landscape architects.

In a letter to LI members, President Neil Williamson said: "At its meeting on 26th November 2009, the Board of Trustees agreed that this [the trust] was the preferred way forward for the longer term, and also agreed to work with the group of members seeking to establish an independent trust."

Members were furious that they faced losing both the archive and the library due to cost cutting measures. There had a been a call for an EGM and a shout of 'no confidence' in management - at one point the LI looked in danger of going out of business as it fought to balance its books - one third of the LI workforce lost their jobs.

I spoke to a LI member earlier today, who said: "After months (effectively a year) of lobbying and fretting, this is news of profound promise, which represents a fantastic opportunity for the archive and the library to be used to its full potential and will allow it to be promoted and cared for by people who care about and understand its idiosyncrasies.

"How we go forwards is obviously key to realising this promise. The momentum of the two EGM's and the calibre of those involved with the fight has been vital to this decision and the quality of people selected to take it forwards is integral to its success. We need people with vision and passion and must avoid selecting those who have a greater interest in their own standing than that of the collections."