13 JANUARY 1990, Page 21

LETTERS Books for Bucharest

Sir: One of the casualties of the tragic events in Bucharest was the University's Central Library. Its gutted remains fea- tured prominently in recent television coverage. Much of what has been des- troyed can never be made good, but some can and must be replaced if Romania's premier university is to have a library worthy of its status. We have therefore decided to launch a 'Books for Romania' appeal.

Our aim is to collect both books and periodicals in any language and on any subject, preferably in hardback and in reasonable condition, which could be use- ful to a university library. We should also like to appeal for money which will be used to purchase books or to pay for subscrip- tions to learned journals requested by our Romanian colleagues. For many years the purchase of foreign publications has been very seriously restricted by a shortage of hard currency.

The British Council have agreed to help with transportation arrangements, and the Librarian of the University of Kent has agreed to provide temporary storage space. We hope that many British academic individuals and institutions will be able to make some contribution to restoring to a much abused nation at least part of the cultural heritage of which it has been so cruelly deprived. In the meantime we would like to thank the British Council, the Librarian of the University of Kent, and the Midland Bank, Canterbury, for the generous help they have already promised. Books should be sent to 'Books for Romania', do Professor R J Crampton, Rutherford College, The University, Can- terbury, Kent CT2 7NX. Cheques shoud be made payable to 'Books for Romania', and direct payment may be made to the Midland Bank, Whitefriars, 2 Gravel Walk, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2JP, sorting

code 40-16-11, account number 41341596. Books may also be left in London do Dr Dennis Deletant, School of Slavonic and East European Studies, Senate House, University of London, WC1E 7HU. Richard Clogg

King's College, London

Richard Crampton

University of Kent at Canterbury

Dennis Deletant

School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University of London

Stevan Pavlowitch

University of Southampton