Library closures will affect rural users the hardest.

Most have only an hourly bus to their nearest ‘hub’-library so going there is time-consuming.

Unless one has a bus pass it is also costly and fares for an adult taking two or more children are particularly so.

If Deddington and Adderbury libraries close, their nearest ‘hub’ is Banbury to which an adult return is £5.50. An adult and two or more children could share one Goldrider ticket but that is £12.

Chinnor’s ‘hub’ is Thame, to which an adult return is £4.50 and returns for an adult and two children total £10.80. Woodcote’s ‘hub’ is Wallingford, to which an adult return is £4.10 and returns for an adult and two children total £9.50. Buses from Berinsfield, Charlbury and Bampton to their ‘hubs’ are also hourly and costly.

Buses linking Chinnor, Berinsfield, Charlbury, Bampton, North Leigh and Grove with their ‘hubs’ are subsidised.

The Government is reducing bus subsidies by £100m. From 2012 it will also reduce the bus fuel rebate that helps all buses but makes the greatest difference to routes that are either subsidised or only just profitable.

Mobile libraries and Internet services cannot replace buildings.

Mobile libraries call only fortnightly, mostly on weekdays when many people are working.

Many rural areas have no broadband, making downloading ebooks difficult and costly.

There is no adequate alternative to rural libraries. Libraries including Deddington, Adderbury, Chinnor, Woodcote, Berinsfield, Charlbury and Bampton deserve continued funding.

Hugh Jaeger, Oxford