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Save our written heritage: Making UK writers archives available to future generations

The Right Honourable Lord Chris Smith of Finsbury and Poet Laureate Andrew Motion are addressing an international conference at the British Library, Manuscripts Matter on 19-20 October 2006 to discuss the importance of UK institutions acquiring the archives of living writers.

Increasingly, manuscripts of modern and contemporary UK authors are being sold abroad, despite the best endeavours of UK public institutions and funding bodies. Public institutions find themselves unable to compete with organisations abroad, primarily in the United States , in terms of readily available and accessible funds. The Working Group on UK Literary Heritage, chaired by Lord Smith, aims to ensure that authors know that UK funds may be made available if enough time is given and that they should approach UK libraries and archives to discuss the sale of their works.

The cultural benefits of retaining the archives of pre-eminent UK authors within the UK for research, educational and creative use are significant and wide-reaching. As well as national collections, regional and university libraries collect papers with local connections and international reputations. The acquisition of significant modern literary papers enhances the reputation of collecting institutions throughout the UK, raises their profile worldwide, and in turn encourages new writing as the nation is seen to value its writers.

Primary sources are increasingly valued to inspire young writers; there is no substitute for being able to consult manuscripts first-hand to gain an insight into the processes that created the most important modern works of literature.

This conference is an opportunity for authors, publishers, dealers, funders, academics and collecting institutions, and other experts to discuss a range of issues:

  • the perception and reality of UK markets,
  • the national funding position and tax incentives
  • the value of manuscripts as a research resource
  • developing a national and international policy for collection, preservation and access to archives both nationally and internationally

Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury said "Despite wishes of authors that their manuscripts are available to UK institutions, the financial allure of selling abroad is often too great as they depend on this income to continue writing. Living authors are not eligible for current tax incentives. Funders such as the HLF make a significant and valuable contribution, but the process can be lengthy in the face of international competition."

Dr Clive Field commented: "The British Library is delighted to be associated with this excellent initiative. As the largest single custodian of contemporary literary manuscripts in the UK, we have had considerable success in acquiring the archives of many leading writers, including Angela Carter, Ronald Harwood, Peter Nichols and Kathleen Raine. By bringing together a range of stakeholders in a spirit of national and international co-operation for the first time, this conference enables informed discussion about the key challenges and potential solutions.

For further information or images from the collection, contact Catriona Finlayson at the British Library Press Office: +44 (0)20 7412 7115 or catriona.finlayson@bl.uk or Eileen Kinghan on +44 (0)207 412 7713 or eileen.kinghan@bl.uk

Notes for Editors

The UK Literary Heritage Working Group was established in March 2005 to develop and implement a national strategy to benefit the UK cultural and intellectual environment by ensuring that archives of pre-eminent modern and contemporary authors are retained and made accessible to UK audiences. Led by Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury, its members drawn from across the sector, including authors, publishers, dealers, funders, academics and collecting institutions, and other experts join as guests. It works with the Group for Literary Manuscripts and Archives (http://archives.li.man.ac.uk/glam/index.html), who are carrying out a survey into collection development policies throughout Britain and Ireland, are encouraging collaboration and making these policies more widely known. The activities of the Working Group focus on three main areas of concern

  • Funding available nationally, and the funding processes
  • Tax incentives to benefit living writers who sell papers to public institutions
  • Provision of guidelines for authors selling papers, on financial incentives currently available, and on appropriate collecting institutions.

In November 2005, the Working Group formally submitted two proposals to HM Treasury which, it believes, will encourage pre-eminent UK authors who are considering selling their literary archives to choose to approach UK institutions:

  • To extend the douceur arrangement with regard to inheritance and capital gains tax to income tax for living authors selling their papers to a designated UK public institution by private treaty
  • To extend the Acceptance in Lieu of tax scheme to living writers

These proposals, although of minimal cost to Treasury, would benefit intellectual and cultural life beyond literary heritage, as they would apply equally to the archives of contemporary historians, scientists, economists and political scientists. Support for the measures has also been found among these communities. No formal response has been received from HM Treasury. The working group continues to pursue the proposals.

The issues were raised during debates in the House of Lords on 13 December 2005 and on 24 July 2006 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds05/text/51213-01.htm#51213-01_star0 and http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldhansrd/pdvn/lds06/text/60724-1052.htm#06072410000015.