IT was with regret and consternation that I learnt that Warrington Borough Council was considering the closure of Lymm Library and other libraries throughout the borough.

Local authorities have a legal responsibility to provide a quality library service and by statute they must provide ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library services and the Government must oversee and improve libraries.

Libraries are models for sustainability and social development.

They not only inform the public, they are essential for many people – the housebound, the lonely, the unwaged, young mothers with families and the elderly who often cannot afford to buy books or travel to a main library.

They are especially important to children and young people.

Books allow them to make choices, to socialise with other children in and out of a school environment, make sense of their experiences and to consolidate what they are taught.

Often governing bodies are quick to close libraries because there is no immediate visible financial return on the investment.

But there is a visible financial return within a decade.

There might be a ray of hope in the Chancellor’s autumn statement due this week for the Lymm and other local libraries facing closure.

On October 13 The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals gave a briefing to the House of Lords which warned that the UK is on the brink of an unprecedented literacy and skills crisis.

They outlined opportunities for the Lords to constructively intervene by urging the Government to make provision in the autumn statement for the emergency relief from closure of public libraries in local authorities that are implementing budget cuts.

More than 2,500 Lymm residents have signed a petition against the closure of their library.

This demonstrates that people are still using libraries and still care about them, a staying place developing along with society and providing a community hub.

JOHN BEARD Lymm