THE York City Archives belong to the citizens of York, the City Council is their guardian, not owner, and has no legal right to send them out of the city.
Most of the volunteers are retired and wish to give their time to their city - often up to 20 years as against university researchers averaging three years - so easy access in the centre of York is important.
It makes sense to move archives that are unavailable, eg those in Bishopthorpe Palace, but the city archives are all within easy walking distance of each other - Central Library, Exhibition Square, Borthwick and Minster, so visits may be short and combined with shopping. Heslington is too far to cycle.
After September 11, it is obviously unwise to store all archives together where one disaffected student could destroy the lot.
Finally, there is land available in the centre of York on which to build - the old Marygate evening class prefabs by the bowling green have been semi-derelict for years.
Mary Malden Owen,
Hamilton Drive,
Acomb, York.
Updated: 10:17 Monday, April 29, 2002
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