Staff at the Imperial War Museum have won their campaign to save its library and Explore History service, thanks to their tireless work and the support of more than 20,000 people who signed a petition against closure, Prospect union said today.

On Holocaust Memorial Day, staff at the Imperial War Museum warn that plans to close the museum’s library and Explore History facility pose a serious threat to future understanding of the lessons of modern war and conflict.

The Imperial War Museum will suffer serious damage to its reputation and ability to preserve its standing as an international centre for study, research and education if management implements its proposed “change programme”.