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International librarians concerned about manuscripts of Baden-WürttembergDr Alex Byrne, President of the International Federation of LibraryAssociations and Institutions (IFLA), expressed dismay when he heard of theplanned sale of the manuscripts of the House of Baden by the provincialgovernment of Baden-Württemberg.He said: "The international library and archival community is shocked tohear of the proposal of the Government of Baden-Württemberg to sell all theworks acquired before 1872 - some 3500 out of a total of 4200 volumes - fromthe manuscript collection of the Badische Landesbibliothek in Karlsruhe.This incomparable collection includes major treasures taken from monasteriesin 1803 and documents a thousand years of commerce and cultural developmentin Europe.  It is not only a treasure for Baden-Württemberg and Germany butpart of the world heritage.  It must be protected."The collection includes prachtmanuscripts, an illuminated Book of Hoursbelonging to Archduke Christoph I of Baden (1490), the prayer book ofSusanna von Brandenburg-Ansbach-Kulmbach medieval lectionaries from thescriptorium of the monastery at Reichenau, and the Gospel of St. Peter (ca.1200).  The majority of manuscripts come from the libraries of monasteriesin the Black Forest, the Upper-Rhine, and Lake Constance and most wereacquired when the monastic libraries were expropriated followingsecularisation in 1803.  They record the development of religion and societyin the region.It is understood that the sale is intended to finance the preservation ofthe Salem castle, the last castle of the house of Baden, and its ongoingmaintenance.  While this is desirable, it must not be done at the expense ofthis important collection of manuscripts.The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions callson  the Government of Baden-Württemberg to abandon this proposal and renewits commitment to the preservation of the history of Baden-Württemberg asdocumented in the manuscript collection of the Badische Landesbibliothek.The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions isthe leading international body representing the interests of library andinformation services and their users.  It is the global voice of the libraryand information profession.  http://www.ifla.org.Contact:Dr Alex Byrne, IFLA President, Tel +61 2 9514 1465, Emailalex.byrne@uts.edu.auDr Peter Lor, IFLA Secretary General, Tel +31 70 31 40 884, Emailifla@ifla.org 