Dear Sir/Madam,
I have a longstanding interest in english folk music. I have recently been looking at the material held in your sound archive. It is rather disappointing that a lot of the material is only accessible to members of HE or FE institutions. Some material e.g. the doffing Mistress is only available on this restricted basis yet it is easily obtainable via youtube and various other forms on the internet,am I to take it they are all breaching copyright?
I see that according to your information "
You can listen to all the recordings from computers in British Library reading rooms if you have a Readers Pass."
As someone who lives nearly 200 miles north of London this is hardly an attractive option. I believe we pay the same taxes in the North but we do not have access to the same facilities as those in London.
yours sincerely JohnC
REPLY FROM BRITISH SOUND ARCHIVE
Your enquiry has now been assessed by the Sound Archive Information Service, and it has been decided that it would more appropriately be answered by Janet Topp Fargion, Lead Curator, World and Traditional Music, Sound and Vision (janet.topp-fargion@bl.uk). It was transferred there on 5 March. Please note that Janet is on leave until 12 March.
No reply as yet. It's grim up North.