Sir – On his website, councillor Mitchell says that amongst his hobbies are “reading avidly — particularly histories and biographies.”

The rest of us who use the libraries to borrow books may be denied this chance, should the closures go ahead as planned.

The local libraries are very important as a community resource — although I live in South Hinksey, I use Summertown library about once a fortnight on a Saturday morning. It is always busy — lots of young children with their parents, people reading the newspapers, using the Internet facilities, borrowing books, CDs and DVDs.

During the week there are events for young children. The sculpture garden is a lovely space to sit. One meets friends there, the library staff know many of the borrowers. I also use Kennington, Botley, and Abingdon library — each has a unique ambience. Shoppers are able to pop in for ten minutes.

It’s a very different experience to going to the city library. From my house it’s a £3.20 return bus trip to the city centre and it would take the best part of two hours to get to the library, choose some books and get home again.

How are the disabled to get into the city centre to go to the library?

Many elderly people avoid going to the city centre as it’s difficult to negotiate the crowds — especially at this time of year and when it’s full of tourists in the summer.

Mr Cameron has spoken of measuring happiness — well a great proportion of my happiness is about reading novels, biographies and knitting — often patterns from library books!

Still — the council still has money to spend on some things — from an email from my local councillor about the security guard watching a few hundred square metres at Redbridge Hollow: “On Redbridge Hollow itself. The current temporary cost of a 24/7 security guard presence is circa £15,000 a month. While this may sound a lot, it works out at less than £15 an hour which is a reasonable rate for a security guard.”

Well that’s good to know isn’t it! This could perhaps run a library — or even two! Does anyone remember why a camera wasn’t thought to be a suitable alternative to a security guard?

Irene Stratton, Hinksey Hill