PUBLISHERS' COSTS
SIR,—Considerable wage increases have recently works in the British Isles. This, in conjunction with been granted to employees at printing and binding other increases that have been forced on publishers, will necessitate substantially higher book prices.
It has been my experience during the past feW years that the main demand in this country for books is for use in public libraries, as a large pro- portion of the public can no longer afford to buy hard-bound books. The finance put at the disposal of public libraries is inadequate to meet their needs, and the inevitable increases in book prices during 1962 will result• in a further depletion in the range of new books that can be purchased for library circulation.
This is a matter of national importance as it maY well produce further cultural stagnation which we
can ill afford. PETER OWEN Peter Owen Ltd., Publishers.
50 Old Brompton Road, SW7
Previous page
