Sir, – Once again we have a consultation exercise this time about libraries. We all know what happened with the same thing about the Friarage Hospital – they totally ignored our views. I left the council meeting in Richmond after hearing the speakers from the county council with the same feelings – the decision s are already made. I read six to eight books every three weeks from Richmond Library plus books on my Kindle. Books and reading are so important; for speech, spelling and learning. I could not live without them.

One thought was to join up the libraries with school ones so we all have to have a CRB check and I am sure schools would love a load of strangers with access to the premises with all the dangers in this day and age. I know the town council are trying to get the tourist information centre in the library to help. According to the council, they need 50 to 70 volunteers who will give up a full day or days to the library. Where are all these people to come from? Richmondshire Museum, the Georgian Theatre Royal, the Station, Kiplin Hall and all the charity shops and various other charities in the area are all short of people. Many people already volunteer at several different charities and only have so much time; it’s a morning here and an afternoon there and to be fair we are entitled to sit in the sun and twiddle our toes and do nothing at all occasionally.

It was also stated that there are well over 30 people in the county council with salaries over £90,000. When the volunteers are running the country, which we soon will be as we have the knowledge and experience to do it better, I bet there will still be officials with a fancy title and a vast salary and that includes county councillors and MP’s swanning around. Please fight for your library.

LYNNE KEMP

Richmond.