asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that it is not possible to secure files of provincial newspapers at the National Library because, apparently, of storage difficulties; what plans he has to make this important service available; and whether, if this cannot be done immediately, he will arrange to have the files made available within a day or two of a request for them.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Provincial Newspaper Files.
53.
Files of provincial newspapers to the year 1960 are available on request in the National Library. Files of years since then will be available on request as soon as additional storage space already provided has been fully equipped. In the meantime, whilst arrangements cannot be made to give a general service on the basis of one or two days notice, every effort is being made to meet individual requests within the shortest possible time.
Can the Minister say is it the intention of the National Library to film old files so that they will be readily available in modern form?
Yes. The main problem is space. We are seeking to secure arrangements with the College of Art and other adjacent buildings
with a view to providing more space.
I think the Minister did not follow my question. We are dealing with files and newspapers running back a hundred years and it seems to me it would be an immense advantage if the files could be filmed and a projection room made available so that anyone who wanted to consult a newspaper of 1853, instead of having to lift an immense file, bring it upstairs and thumb through it, would simply turn the relevant roll of film on to a screen and carry out any research required in that way.
I agree.
I do not say that that can be done overnight, but I wonder if the Minister has borne in mind the advantage of doing that.
I have discussed the matter with the National Library. Again it is a space problem. Space is the fundamental problem. When we have the space, we can make other improvements.