Back to the British Library ...

Why have certain collectors (well known on the Brit. trad. folk scene) decided to restrict access to their recordings to academics only? That is academics as per registered on approved courses or doing academic research?

My point above was that I HATE that kind of arrogance. Incidentally access to articles in academic Journals is just the same - restricted access for academcs only FGS.

Whereas Jim and Pat have freely shared and made available as much and as many of their recordings as they could afford to do. As Jim said sadly they had to take out of the UK their recordings of English (etc.) performers due to the lack of interest here.

Personally I am extremelly grateful to Jim and Pat for sharing their huge collection of lost, forgotten and likely wiped recordings of folk music and song from various media sources; sources that didn't even have the arrogant attitude of restricted access, but the complete and utter disinterest such that they wiped the originals.