Zadie Smith commendably pays tribute to the staff who make available the wonderful cultural gems in the British Library (Does Britain value culture any more? Ask the striking workers at the British Library, 11 November). For decades, libraries all round Britain have suffered successive cuts, which have meant many have closed or are run by volunteers.
Librarians do not have a single high-profile trade union looking out for their pay and working conditions. So, unlike teachers, for example, they are unable to exert pressure to be paid on a similar level, given that the professional qualifications required are equally rigorous, and in some institutions exceed those of other professionals.
