That means libraries buy the right to look at something that has a permanent home on somebody else's computer.

Pay for professors has shrunk, and the library cannot buy new books.

The library, he said, "has bought into the climate of fear that exists in Washington cultural institutions."

But the present, part of an archive which the library bought yesterday for £120,000, conceals an explosive quarrel between author and performer.

Last spring, the library bought a smaller section of the manuscript: 46 pages, the draft of the second and third movements.

"They are worried about losing control and that the library will buy just one copy of an electronic book and make it available to everyone."

Further, the library bought about 60,000 volumes at the auction sale.

Litter baskets overflowed, public libraries bought fewer books and the city work force was reduced by about 20,000.

The library rented the house from 1845, and in 1879 bought the freehold.

Already, libraries buy fewer reference materials because such materials are online, she said.