Many students use the BL because their local public libraries contain little academic material or space to study. Certainly bad behaviour shouldn't be tolerated, however restricting access to all is against the spirit of academia; those who want to learn should be encouraged,not blocked by elitists.

Greg, London, UK

With respect, those correspondents who rail against the 'elitism' of restricting access to BL's limited reading places are missing the point. Need to access unique material, held only by BL, should surely be the deciding factor when demand exceeds space. Bonuses for overcrowding? Good grief!

JC, Basildon,

Why not make it accessible to only those students that have a letter of introduction, stating their needs, from their supervisor? Some other libraries do this. I had to do this both as a pg and as an ug student when I needed access to the Warburg Institute. It may stop crowding and bad behaviour.

Susan , London,

I'm a PG student, I need the BL and am sick of those who are disruptive.This is the case in many london libraries - at uni as well. The lack of respect for others is disgusting. If you cannot be quiet in the library then LEAVE! mobiles off, lips shut, books open. Go elswhere for mindless chitchat.

Susan , London,

The British Library is the nation's library. Maybe I could suggest that Lady Antonia visits the London Library. She should find fewer undergrads there as they could ill afford the membership fees. Unless of course they were Oxbridge students, which I'm sure she won't find too ghastly.

Tracey, Oxford, UK

It is not silly at all to say that someone who needs books available only in the BL should have more right of access than people who just need a table for their laptop or a place to read books they can find elsewhere. Elitism? No, scarce resources. And earliness no longer guarantees a seat.

BR, London,

How dare you!!! If you want a desk get up early - as an undergrad, everyone I know, myself included knows that getting to the BL early is paramount if you want space in a reading room, hence we get there way before 11!! Also - out your coat in a locker! Its what they're there for!

Jen Lines, London, UK

What a silly argument, I guess this is a case of first come, first served. Although some students could use the facilities at their universities (many do), what about the students who cannot find the material they need? If your work is so much more important then get there early to get a seat.

Amy, Wirral,

It is a rare undergraduate dissertation that needs access to books unavailable at their own university library or through COPAC. As a postgraduate, I need the BL to gain access to books of which there may be only one copy in the UK, maybe the world. If there are no seats, I can't read that book.

Jocelyn Percy, London,

While Cat Mullarky's correct that, 'information... should be as universal as possible', the fact is that the information used by most students I observe in the British Library is easily available elsewhere. The information I need isn't, and I have to travel quite a distance to get it. They don't.

Richard Witts, Edinburgh, Scotland

Oh, how simply *ghastly*.

E Gadsby, Edinburgh,

I'm a third year undergraduate and a regular user of the British library. I have seen no users of the library that resemble 'schoolgirls giggling.' The library remains a hub of academic research and a crucial institution that should retain a policy of open access. The predominant reason students use the British Library is because their university libraries are inadequately resourced. I know many students that because of this situation travel to the British Library from outside London at their own expense, which they would not do if it was a place merely to 'hang out'. In addition, students are not immune to the problems of queues and difficulties in finding a desk. I think it would be appalling if students in Britain could not have free access to at least one place in which they could get hold any book published in the UK. This debate concerns the right to information which should be as universal as possible.

Cat Mullarkey, Bristol,

It seems dissapointing that the 'elite few' are trying to restrict the collaborative innovation that propagates when keen student minds meet together to discuss projects and research. I think picking on one example of giggling girls talking about swapping notes is entirely naieve considering the other immense amounts of teaching and learning that happen throughout the library but are less reported on.

Khaled Shivji, London,

The University of London does Edmund, but you have to remember that there are far more institutions then just UL. There are hundreds of higher education colleges and other universities that don't have the same facilities as UL, and as such these students are more likely to abuse the British Library. As an alumni of UL I agree that access should be limited to 3rd year students, or by special dispensation arranged by their tutors.

James, cambridge,

I think some of you miss the point that students - like myself - have university libraries to go to.

James - Let the 'authors, scholars and academics' have their space, whats it to you anyway?

Sam, London,

As a post-graduate research student, I have used the British LIbrary on many occasions to use their fantastic facilities. Every time I have been, desks have been in abundance, the silence has been golden, and queues have been non-existent (except for the photo-copiers). The ordering system for materials has been painless and when doing it in advance over the web, rather novel...

In response to Lady Antonia - had she been to tried to find anything of any use in my university's library, she would understand the benefit of being able to use the BL's resources. Every library on my university's numerous campuses has very few materials that relate to my studies, and when they do, they are picked up and kept by the first student that gets their mitts on them..

OK, the BL may have changed over the years, but what hasn't? To keep providing the great 'public' (now there's a keyword...) service it does, it needs to hit targets, and these happen to be based on attendance. Go figure...

Tom, London,

How elitist is this? Who says that these academics have any more right to use the library than students? I used the British Library in both London and Wetherby for my third year dissertation without any problems. I didn't have to wait for a table, my books arrived promptly and the staff were tremendously helpful in tracking down works relevant to my paper. Typical snobbery on those that think they are above the rest. I can make an educated guess that none of these people made the trip up to Wetherby where the same books were available and I was the only occupant of the library most of the time I was there last year?

Gary Saunders, Manchester,

It is impossible to get a seat after 11? Sounds like the gripe of some lazy academics. When I lived in Durham I awoke at 7, jumped on the train and was still there by 11. Obviously I can understand it must be hard to get up before lunch when you are 'desperately' keen to get hold of research materials for your books.

James, London,

This time of year, it's difficult for us students to find space in which to revise and finish off our dissertations, etc. I am at law school and there is no way all that all the students at my college can fit in the library there. Apologies if we disturb your precious research which is obviously far more important than everyone else's.

Martha, London, UK

What a fussy lot! It was fine when I went last week and if the coat queue is such a problem then hire a locker - simple. Besides not all students are undergraduates, research students (PhD's etc) probably have a lot more of a right than anyone else to the British Libraries reserch material.

Sally, Southampton,

If UG students make too much noise in their own libraries, they are told to shut up or get out. What's wrong with that strategy??

Anyone using the British Library should use it as a library, rather than a coffee shop or net cafe. Its up to the admin to enforce that.

It would a shame for many students, particualrly history grad students, if this resource was to be taken away again. It should NEVER return to being an elitist resource.

Mike Gow, Beijing, China

"Why can’t they go to their university libraries?”

Maybe Lady Antonia should visit the University of York Library. She would then understand why students feel like they need to travel to London. Students already pay huge sums of money to their universities for fees, but not enough is put aside for the library.

Perhaps these elitist authors should pay more tax, which the government could put towards university libraries.

Andy, York,

I am an academic researcher, and have been using the new BL since it opened. The library used to be full of adults - writers and academics with a large number of PhD students quietly labouring over their research. There was an real atmosphere of scholarship.

Now it is full of first-year students who occupy all the available seats by 10.30am, making it almost impossible for legitimate researchers to work. They talk incessantly and wander around the building looking for friends.

Some of the undergraduates are clearly there to work, and some even use library's resources. But the vast majority are there to have fun and socialise. They have no idea how to behave and spend most of the time playing with their phones. In some cases, they even take reader's seats when they go out for lunch.

The management of the BL have a duty to provide a service for legitimate readers. By allowing in so many undergraduates, they are failing in this, and the BL now sadly resembles a univeristy JCR.

Dan, London, UK

My kids get there early, so get out of bed authors. Uni libraries are both crap and insufficiently stocked so there is no alternative.

colin stoy, london,

Surely it isn't a question of whether someone is an undergraduate student or a famous writer - it's about behaviour. Anyone who's just there to gossip, whether its Antonia Fraser and Clare Tomalin moaning about lack of space or a gaggle of kids pretending to revise, should be asked to leave. It should be made clear that at least the appearance of scholarly work is required - ie., sitting quietly with a pile of books. Perhaps users should also be asked if they can get to the same books via a different library.

BUT undergraduates should not be pushed out. The BL is a copyright library, and unless the undergraduates happen to be students at Oxford or Cambridge, their university libraries simply won't be as well stocked. To assume they should just do without if they can't get a particular book will lead them to reduce the scope of their work, and is less likely to encourage a new generation of exciting academics.

Lucy, Chester-le-Street,

this is a wholly discriminating article. It suggests that 'academics' and 'famous writers' are more important than mere undergraduates. I as a second year undergraduate student think that this is a great idea, especially for students living in london. University libraries are not all wel stocked and for so many students to be recognizing and using such a valuable resource is surely a good thing.

If resources such as this aren't open to undergraduate students how can we progress tham to becoming 'academics' and 'famous writers'.

This smacks of pure elitism!

Rhoslyn Harris, Loughborough, LEICESTERSHIRE

To the commentators moaning about this being "elitist nonsense" - you are seriously missing the point. It wouldn't be a problem if students came to actually study, it just appears that the overcrowding is due at least in part to students who come to "hang out" rather than to actually study.

Emma, London,

I researched my dissertation at the British Library during holidays and was lucky to get a pass thanks to a special letter of reccomendation from a professor - back in 2000 undergrads were not usually allowed passes. I think this was correct and am disappointed this policy seems to have changed. No undergarduate needs the incredible resources of the British Library, it is a national treasure and globally recognised research hub which should not be ruined by open access by students. I hope this policy is soon reversed.

Neil Anderson, Bridgetown, Barbados

Heaven forbid that people who pay (or will pay) the taxes that fund the BL should actually be allowed in to use it!

Sharon, Sheffield,

The point is that there is limited space in the library and materials there that cannot be found anywhere else. It is frustrating to be unable to find a seat in the Manuscript or Rare Book rooms, the only places one can read such materials, because someone is doing her French homework or using Facebook, or even using books which can perfectly well be obtained in university libraries. If students need the collections they should be able to use them, but if they are using the library simply as a pleasant place to work where they can see their friends and get a nice cup of coffee, the space is too limited to allow this. This work can be done elsewhere -- often even at home. If I need a book or manuscript from the seventeenth century, however, I cannot read it at home or in another library. I have to be at the BL -- but repeatedly find that it is impossible to find a place to sit. Those who actually need the facilities should have the first crack at using the BL.

BR, London,

I don't care it is elitist to say this: undergraduates should be banned. I loved the old Reading Room, the quiet, the space to work and to think, the reasonably quick and easy access to books and the big indexes around the central desk that one could dip into and find hidden gems. Last time I went to the new Library, it was like going to the Waste Lands along that windy stretch of the Euston Road - and when I got there the queues were so bad, I went home.

When the new library was being built we were promised more seats, less crowding, easier access and a nicer experience. None of this has happened. The new library is noisy, unpleasant, hard to work in and it is often pointless even going since books never come. I pity overseas academics and researchers because most of their valuable time (in terms of both time and money) is spent waiting around to get a seat and then for their books to arrive.

As for Directors getting bonuses for overcrowding the facilities - I am disgusted.

Rosemary K, London, England

disgraceful that undergraduates should want to use a library! heavens forbid! whatever next??? will they actually do some work too.....!!!!

stephen, china, china

Students will pay more taxes than the authors ever will in their futures, so I'd advise them to put up and shut up - unless you don't want the future generation to fund your retirement?

Howard, Manchester,

I think the 24 hour opening would be a fantastic idea, that would certainly please students like me. We must appreciate that there is not access to every journal online, particularly for those doing historical research, for which many journals are obselete and ceased publication in the 19th century. Writing my thesis, even at Oxford, I did not have access to all the resources I needed. So I took my scummy jeans and myself to the British Library for 3 weeks, read a lot, wrote a lot and received a lot of dirty looks from people thinking I was "just" an undergrad. Unfotunately some of the most conceited members of society are authors and tutors, and the BL shouldn`t stop opening its doors and allowing people to use its fantastic resources for a sad few that go there to hang out and an even sadder few that perhaps used to go there to feel elite and intellectual.

hannah, buenos aires,

[Quote] "One of the underlying causes of the collapse of the public library service is that it has lost contact with the people it is there to serve". Those aren't my words but they are taken from a focus group discussion among younger people in Oxfordshire about 4 years ago. [End Quote]

Interesting to see who is credited with the above.

I think it is great that the British Library is getting more people engaged - maybe the wider public library system will benefit by way of more people visiting libraries in general as a result of their 'groovy' BL experience as a student.

We should remember that even students eventually turn into people - apart from those who become academics or self absorbed writers.

For the ‘odd’ ones who got so upset by having to stand in line with everyone else, why don't you all hire a charabanc and take a trip to Boston Spa?

I understand they have chairs and tables, no crowd control and hey, you can create your own scholarly atmosphere.

Albert Delaney

Albert Delaney, London,

A desk allocation system is needful with time slots to prevent people from hogging desks. As for students they should be made to abide by the rules or lose the privilege of membership. They chatter, play music , text and play internet games and ill treat the books. I witnessed one be very insolent to a member of staff because she asked her not to put books on the floor! Can the books survive all this usage? Why is there so much free internet provided? It is obvious too many people are trying to use the library and a system needs to be adopted that all users can get fair and equitable use and monitored so that the library is used for its real use research and study not recreation. As for directors bonuses for visitors numbers for a public service how revolting

Janice, Tonbridge, Kent

"Elitist nonsense" seems to be a reflex response for many people. The issue is not one of elitism but of common sense. Much of the British Library's collection is rare or unique. It is therefore essential for many researchers (academics, authors or independent researchers) to be able to access the collections.

By contrast, undergraduate reading lists do not or should not contain such materials. Undergraduates have access to most university libraries, not just their own institutions', which are much better suited to their needs (eg holding multiple copies of textbooks; longer opening hours; specialist subject libraries).

My own experience of the changes in the British Library is that it is much harder to get a seat, particularly in the humanities reading rooms, queues are much longer, and I have often been sat next to undergraduates who are using their own materials, texting their friends (and once, rudely interrupting my work to try to chat me up).

Caroline, London,

I used the library (among others) for my third-year dissertation. I was looking at early modernist architecture in India and it holds a number of important books on the subject not available elsewhere in the UK. I think that students who can demonstrate their "need" to use the library *should* have access. However, anyone behaving antisocially - chatting, texting etc. - ought to be barred immediately. I saw a number of undergrads sleeping at desks, texting and chattering under the noses of staff.

A Sevigny, London, UK

Fred, London - it is easy to do a degree. Fine, the money part sucks but don't let anyone tell you that uni is anything other than an extended drinking party. I mucked about for three years and still got a good degree.

Leave the real academics the space to work in the BL and let students keep themselves to the uni libraries and, the more likely option, union bars.

It may be an elitist argument - those who really need the BL are our elite!

Chris, Portsmouth,

This article makes me very angry!

I was not aware that it was compulsory to be a published author, historian or final-year (many degrees now take 4 years, nott just 3) student to be allowed to use the resources of a (public!) library to learn!

If individuals are abusing this privilege, take that privilege away from them. Do not over-generalise and refuse people who simply have a keen interest access to the resources that they wish to learn from!

Watch out for that elitism!

anon, Paris, France

This appears to be elitist snobbery at its finest. I find it very insulting that students are being categorised as using the British Library to relax. I can think of many places I would consider a social gathering site, the British Library is not one of them. My university library is not able to offer all the resources needed to compile a competent 10,000 word dissertation that is a pivotal part of my History degree. I find it disconcerting that the British Library is working hard to preserve resources for future generations while the elite want to keep it for themselves. This unjustified attack is discouraging those that need to from accessing the important resources the library holds. Surely it is better to encourage future generations to further themselves through academia (thus supplementing the incomes of these authors) then to witness the library struggle to remain open. These esteemed authors would not have been able to achieve their success without access to such resources.

Ellie, Surrey, UK

This is absolutely disgusting. I feel embarrassed to be associated with the so-called ‘high-profile writers’ whose work is no more important than that of students. Knowledge should not be restricted to certain individuals. Moreover, it is no wonder that students are flocking to larger, better stocked libraries when their own receive so little financial input and are so clearly out-dated. With rising tuition fees, debt and bleak housing propsects don’t you think we should be giving our students a break?!

Elizabeth, Bristol,

I have worked at the British Library for many years; recently, having failed to find a seat because of overcrowding (undergraduates like to leave their stuff on desks, like beach towels on sunloungers, before they disappear to the cafe) I was urged to write a complaint by staff in the reading room. The self-serving response I received (referring, amongst other things, to "entrepreneurs" as readers - seen Alan Sugar there lately?) makes perfect sense in light of the news that the library's directors are on performance bonuses per number of visits.

The British Library is an amazing resource for particular kinds of work which are being undermined by the current rules; it is not the right place - it's not even really useful - for undergraduates who typically need multiple copies on open-access shelves.

Kathryn Perry, London, UK

If the government had not decided it wanted 50% of young people to go to universities while not improving the facilities of these universities what do you expect? I grduated last year and hated spending time in my university library as it was always crowded, hardly any of the books I needed, or any space to read. (It was pretty quiet though since you mention it.)
The BRitish Library may be the only place for these students to ggo!

Katharine, Tokyo, Japan

So, why don't the offended authors pop over to the university libraries for reading, instead of heading first to the BL? Seems like the students are being crowded out by people who could go elsewhere to get what they need, but want to hog the BL instead of giving way and going to the public library or other libraries nearby.

Lee, sterling, usa

Over the last month, I can never get a seat. I end up in the cafe, which is too noisy (although I'm intrigued which "windowsill" Christopher Hawtree had to perch on, seeing as the windows are way, way up high above our heads here). The place, as the article says, is completely overrun with students who sit next to each other in the reading rooms talking. They're supposed to be silent, and when I could get in them, I'd be telling these rude students to sshh! all the time.

To get in a reading room, you have to apply. I cannot believe that all these undergraduates - with their own libraries at their colleges - are carrying out the type of research/have the requirements as stipulated by the reader admissions policies.

Restricting numbers no. But keeping to the proper restrictions for reading room admissions, surely yes.

Oh, and the staff should insist that if you're leaving your desk for a couple of hours for lunch, you take all your stuff with you and not leave the desk unusable.

Laura Roberts, London, UK

I'd support the notion of access for all, but the main point seems to be that under-grads and others are occupying scarce desk space to do essays (using their own books), for revising and for other work. They are not using the BL's books and are not 'researching' using the libary's resources. I'm in most days and the queues at 9.30am opening time do stretch to the Euston Road and desk space is all taken full by 11am. I suspect that come May/June and exam time things will revert back to a more reasonable level. That said, the BL (outside of the formal reading rooms) is a great space for socialising and meeting, and it seems that it is a victim of its own success.

Michael Pritchard , Watford, UK

These views smack of elitism of the most disgusting type. People who are the establishment - lets not pretend Tristam Hunt and Lady Fraser are anything but they have contracts to publish books, something most undergraduates lack - feel free to complain about people who are poorer and less able than they are. I don't mean to be playing on the proverbial violin about this but ultimately students who are being landed with £20, 000 of debt per degree need to take every opportunity to get what they can out of the learning facilities that are available to them.

I lay don this challenge to Lady Fraser and Mr Hunt; empty your bank accounts and go a couple of grand overdrawn, live in shared house, pledge several thousands more pounds to a university, work part time and then try writing essays and a thesis . Its not easy please stop picking on students.

Fred, London,

I used the library on a number of occasions as an undergraduate and have to say this is utter nonsense. I had to use the library as some of the material I needed was only available at the British library or far away from London. The British library holds a great collection of works which should be accessible to students, academics, and authors alike. What makes the authors think they should have special privileges above the rest of us?

Louise, London,

I have been using the BL over last few weeks on research visit - no problem getting seat etc. if in queue by 9.15. But real problem is that the nation has been short-changed by a philistine government which would not pay for the library that was planned, with an extra 1000 or so seats and other facilities (but was happy to spend twice as much soon after on the millennium dome, and thirty or so times as much on these confounded Olympics). When are we going to get the library this nation deserves?

Clive Tolley, Chester,

This is quite embarrasing elitist rubbish. When I was an undergraduate I sometimes used the British Library because my university library was not quite up to scratch; is that so unreasonable? And really, the times I was there, it was like an academics dating agency - one time, my tutor who was there, all the fawning and the flirting over him (from other academics) was very distracting - what kind of research were they doing then?!

M, London,

If I were still an undergrad and lived anywhere near London I would definately choose the British Library as a place to study, even if I had to wait half an hour to get a seat. While I wouldnt dismiss the idea that many stuidents go there because it is a cool place to hang out, I think it is more likely that they go there because they are surrounded by pretty much any material they could ever need. This is in stark contrast to your typical university library. Saying that, I managed to complete a four year degree without ever venturing into the British Library and I think I am correct in sayign that final year students doing research can get a copy of anything they need from the British Library sent to their university, while almost all journals are avaliable over the internet. So while I understand why they might want to be there, do they need to be? No.

Amy, Stourport, Worcs

How frightful that they let in students who aren't even authors. Next they'll be letting in ordinary people, and then where will we be?

John B, UK,

The BL has always had an open door policy for anyone with good reason to use it. The problem is that undegraduates do not a have a good reason to be there. There are a number of very large university libraries in London that will have all undergraduate materials (sans coffee shop and nice courtyard for lunch and sunbathing).

The BL should only allow access to postgraduate students who require more specialised and rare materials to use the library on a daily basis. Undergrads should only be allowed in if they can prove the material they need is not available elsewhere.

It's nothing to do with elitism - it's just too many people in too small a space.

Jen, London Town,

Over the last month, I can never get a seat. I end up in the cafe, which is too noisy (although I'm intrigued which "windowsill" Christopher Hawtree had to perch on, seeing as the windows are way, way up high above our heads here). The place, as the article says, is completely overrun with students who sit next to each other in the reading rooms talking. They're supposed to be silent, and when I could get in them, I'd be telling these rude students to sshh! all the time.

To get in a reading room, you have to apply. I cannot believe that all these undergraduates - with their own libraries at their colleges - are carrying out the type of research/have the requirements as stipulated by the reader admissions policies.

Restricting numbers no. But keeping to the proper restrictions for reading room admissions, surely yes.

Oh, and the staff should insist that if you're leaving your desk for a couple of hours for lunch, you take all your stuff with you and not leave the desk unusable.

Laura Roberts, London, UK

This is horrible academic elitism. I was at the library on Saturday to research for my PhD and my only complaint is that the staff are quite loud. Other than that - if you don't want to queue to hand in your coat, use a locker. If you want a desk, get there earlier.

What I like about the library is that anyone can work there at whatever level of research in whatever field. It would be wrong to introduce discrimination.

Simon, Leamington Spa, UK

I used to use the British library about 3 years ago and I was regularly the only person in the rooms that I was using. I thought it was a scandal that it was so hard for people to get access to something that they themselves have funded.

I am in complete agreement with those who describe it as elitist nonsense.

Peter Thornton, London,

The issue is that this library is for people who need access to material unavailable elsewhere. They are at present being denied access to it because the reading rooms are being used by people - not just students, I might add - who are not using the resources such as books from the stacks, but are simply occupying desks. There are lots of places where students can work, but there is no other library in the UK with the holidings the British Library has.

Lucy Penhaligon, London, W91AR

surely, the problem here is not that students have access, but rather than they are abusing the privilege?

how many institutions are going to be ruined by performance targets?

jem, london, uk

Around this time of year its the same case in most librarys. Rather then studying Most of the students are busy socialising. I work in a main library in london and im also an undergrad student, and find it so irritating that other users who rely on the library for quiet study have to be bothered by noisy, rude, messy students who are sad enough to go to the library just to "hand out" and pretend to study. I think its a good idea For 3rd year undergraduates to only get a pass, if 1st and 2nd year need books for research they can get a Uk library plus card and use other university libraries.

Kat , London,

Students 'hog' British Library reading rooms?

Why should anyone have more of a right to access information than others?

Are degrees not as important as books by established authors then?

Ridiculous.

Rachel, London,

Surely the Library motto is that the national collections should be available for all those who wish to access them?

This article reeks of pomposity - I only hope the undergraduates who use the Library now do not become like this when they are the next generation of authors, scholars and researchers...

James, London,

Usual elitist moaning - but interesting to see the liberal elite are every bit as self-centred and unpleasant as the conservative kind. Tthe novelists here sound like the aristocrats of the seventeenth century forced to encounter the poor when travelling. I can picture poor Tristram holding a scented hanky to his nose and waving the hoi polloi away.

The mass of students are just expected to pay for it all through a lifetime's taxes, but not have access. That, apparently, should be preserved for the special few.

Pedr, Gallt Melyd,

This is utterly ridiculous. A research library is for research and should not be thrown open to undergraduates simply in order to give them a quiet space to do their homework, thus reducing the facilities for research, for which the library was intended. When I was an undergraduate at Manchester, the students' union building had special areas set aside for academic work. They were called "Mens' Silence Room" and "Women's Silence Room" respectively. Do they still exist? Does the University of London have no such equivalent?

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

"He added: “We understand that busy periods can be frustrating for readers, but we are dedicated to delivering excellent services and carefully managing the increase in reader numbers during vacation periods.”

He confirmed that the library’s directors received performance bonuses depending on the number of visits."

Says it all really.

Pete W, Bristol, UK

Last time I turned up to use the reading room (a trip of over 100 miles) they wouldn't renew my ticket because I hadn't brought a gas bill with me. I shan't be competing for space there any more

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

i have arrived at about 10.45 each day and there have never been queues and i have always found a desk
authors must be a bloody sensitive lot

william, london,

Elitist nonsense - who is to say that the so-called scholars needs are any greater than those of another.

Ian, Sheffield,

Hey, here's an idea, why not open the library 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Ron, Milton Keynes, Bucks

No undergraduate should get a British Library pass unless they are looking at unique material. Their own libraries should be adequate for their needs, and if not, then questions need to be asked about the colleges themselves.
The BL is an absolute nightmare. I will do everything in my power to avoid having to research there.
It should return to being a library of "last resort" rather than a hangout for gormless students who don't have a clue how to behave.

Sally R., London, UK

Is this all a ploy to meet some government target on increasing the numbers of ethnic minorities using the library? I wonder. It has been an absolute disaster for anyone who needs to engage in serious research, and who can only do so at the BL. Please reverse this silly decision, and the children go and send text messages to each other somewhere else.

Tony Hillbear, London, UK

Everyone should have the right to use the facilities... if that means there will be queues then so be it. Sometimes you just have to wait you turn in life. Who are they to say that their need to use the library is greater than that of others? As a second year student on an Information Science course, I've always made full use of the library facilities available.

Lisa, London,