TWO dozen of Scotland and the UK's leading poets have expressed their "real sense of concern" over the running of the landmark poetry institution in Scotland, the Scottish Poetry Library.
In a letter to the board of the library (SPL), signed by acclaimed writers including Carol Ann Duffy, the UK poet laureate, and Jackie Kay, the Makar, poets expressed their concern over the SPL and in particular the departures of a series of key members of staff in recent months.
The unprecedented letter, sent to the SPL's board as well as Creative Scotland, its key funder, expressed disappointment over the staff turnover, and also referred to the library as a "scene of unhappiness."
The signatories to the letter, which has been seen by The Herald, include some of the most acclaimed poetic writers in Scotland, including Aonghas Macneacail, a founder of the SPL, Don Paterson and Professor Douglas Dunn, the honorary president of the library, as well as a former secretary of the SPL board, Professor Peter France.
The library, in Edinburgh's Canongate, is considered to be one of the keystones of the publicly-funded sector of Scottish literature, the world's leading resource on Scottish poetry, and is also responsible for the administration of the Makar position, or National Poet.
It is understood the letter, which criticises no one personally and is framed as being sent by "friends and supporters" of the library, was primarily inspired by the changes in staffing at the library since the appointment of its director Asif Khan, who joined the library last year.
Since then, the SPL's senior librarian, a programme manager and a learning manager have left their posts, considered to be key departures from a small team.
The letter says the library is "a jewel in Scotland’s cultural crown" envied across the world, not only in its building and collections, but in the service provided by the staff to poetry lovers and the wider community.
It adds: "It would be a tragedy if this precious asset was lost or diminished."
The letter led to a special meeting between a group of poets and the SPL's director, which, a spokesman for the library, said last night, was "frank and convivial."
He noted that the library has recently added to writers to its board, Jenni Fagan and Nuala Watt to "help provide voice and influence for writers."
The spokesman for the SPL added: "The Scottish Poetry Library board and director recently met with a group of poets to explore SPL’s service offer and delivery.
"The discussion was frank and convivial, recognising the vital contribution of poetry to Scotland's cultural milieu, and the art form's positive impact on education, wellbeing and tourism.
"As well as ongoing discussions with the group, the SPL is actively seeking to widen its engagement with the broader poetry community, book borrowers and audiences across Scotland.
"Our new senior librarian and depute director will begin their roles on April 10, both having greatly impressed in the open application process."
Mr Khan, who grew up in Dundee and is a graduate of the University of Stirling, took up his position in June 2016.
His professional career up to that point had been spent in Bristol and London in "audience engagement, business development and marketing roles covering the full breadth of the arts, from public libraries and literature to visual art and performing arts."
He worked on the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade commemorative programme in 2007, and in 2014 was invited by the Government of Jamaica to produce a showcase event with their new Poet Laureate, Mervyn Morris.
He is a trustee of The Poetry Can and is on the board of the Bristol Poetry Institute.
A Creative Scotland spokesman said: "We are aware of the interest raised by writers regarding the Scottish Poetry Library (SPL).
"Representatives from SPL have met with the writers to discuss SPL’s current and future cultural offer.
"Discussions are ongoing and we look forward to a positive outcome."
In 2016/17 the library is funded by £316,666 in Regular Funding, as one of the country's core cultural bodies, from the funding body.
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