Sir, – The first paragraph of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 states: “From the commencement of this Act it shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to superintend and promote the improvement of the public library service provided by local authorities in England and Wales and to secure the proper discharge by local authorities of the functions in relation to libraries conferred on them as library authorities under this act” (my italics).
This suggests to me that the current wave of proposals to emaciate the library service may be contrary to statute as well as very short-sighted in terms of creating a civilised and educated society. This issue is especially urgent in rural areas where a closure can mean that the nearest library is perhaps 12 miles away and not, in practice, accessible.
GERALD HODGSON Spennithorne, Leyburn.
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