I WRITE to register my strong opposition to the plans for library services in Warrington.

1. The central library is an historic asset to the town, being the first of its kind in the country. Only a disinterested contractor could contemplate the loss of this jewel in the crown of the town.

2. The proposal to move this to an anonymous multi-purpose unit in the Golden Square does not come close to providing the necessary space for stock or for users.

This is made worse by the fact there is no guarantee that even the space allocated would be maintained in future, in the face of competing demands from other functions in this building. I am glad the council has rejected the changeof- use application.

3. The proposals for locker systems appear based on an Amazon-like view of local libraries.

This is far from accurate.

Libraries play a vital role in the wellbeing of people, and particularly of older people. They were community hubs long before this description was coined.

4. Not only is browsing for books a pleasure and stimulation to many, in a way remote ordering from a catalogue can never be, but finding something you weren’t looking for is one of the joys and rewards of life. Scientists and artists alike would endorse this view. It is even true of the notice boards in every library – this remains a key communication channel for a good proportion of the population.

5. Many communities in Warrington, like Penketh where I live, comprise an older population where many are at risk from social isolation: regular visits to the library and contact with the people they meet there serve as a lifeline that gets them out of the house and helps them stay part of that community.

While I think there could be some mileage in increasing the role of volunteers in local libraries I would see this as a supplement to, not a replacement for, paid staff.

I am not aware that LiveWire has been given a remit or target from the council to save money from the library budget, though undoubtedly a lot of savings have already been made at the expense of services and this has gone far enough.

There have been several suggestions that LiveWire has downplayed the public response to their proposals.

Councils and their contractors exist to serve and to safeguard the public interest and should expect to be judged on this basis.

BILL SANDERSON Penketh