THE city can't manage to run its world-famous cycle of Mystery Plays anymore (June 13).

The council want to build shops right up to one of its most famous and historical sites.

The Minster authorities want to close its library and turn its ancient centre for worship into the "Minster Experience".

It's a good job York didn't apply to be European City of Culture - by next year we might not have much left!

Clive Tiney,

Towthorpe Road,

Haxby, York.

...IT seems there is some hope the York Minster Library may, by the wise counsel of the Archbishop, survive in its present form for the immediate future.

In the longer term the library needs to be secure and independent of the Dean and Chapter.

An endowment fund of the likes of £4 million would provide for the maintenance of the library.

The major charities such as the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Art Collections Fund and philanthropists such as the late John Paul Getty tend to favour securing works of art for the nation rather than the running costs of cultural institutions.

There may be a way in which such bodies could assist by purchasing library treasures, such as the incunabula, leave them in the custody of the library and available for readers.

The National Art Collection Fund recently purchased an important Hogarth painting for the National Trust so that it could continue to be viewed at Nostell Priory.

Although £4 million is a lot of money, in 1992 two million pounds was found to purchase the Middleham Jewel for the Yorkshire Museum. The York Minster Library is an important jewel.

Michael Bearpark,

St Andrewgate,

York.

Updated: 11:16 Monday, June 16, 2003