Sir, – I was disturbed by both the tone and the arguments contained in the letter entitled "Opportunity for libraries" (D&S Jan 2). Although the author described that there were numerous "opportunities" he only actually mentioned one – the possibility that some people might meet other people and make new friends.

Is this what is driving North Yorkshire County Council’s decision making? Has it benevolently decided to slash library funding and close libraries because it thinks there is the chance that someone might make a new friend if a library is run wholly by volunteers? I presume the evidence for such favourable encounters is substantial otherwise it would not be mentioned as such a wonderful opportunity.

The remainder of the letter talks glowingly about how good Great Ayton library is. I agree, there is genuine commitment and prodigious effort there. The volunteers are admirable.

However, the letter fails to address how sustainable even Great Ayton library is. What happens when a few key individuals have to leave? Has the county council done a sustainability study? Has the council done a study on whether there are sufficient volunteers in other towns to maintain their own libraries when their budgets are slashed? Or is it, as this letter suggests, basing the decision on a vague hope with limp arguments that there are enough energetic, committed and generous people around to avoid the cultural dessert that would result from this policy.

If our elected representatives are using arguments such as the vice chair of the council does in his letter, then I despair for the future of not just our libraries but for all of our public services.

ALAN RICHARDSON

Carlton in Cleveland, Stokesley.