Sir – The perception that the libraries in Oxfordshire have been saved is not entirely true. Save Oxfordshire Libraries (SOL), representing the threatened libraries, disputed neither the level of savings suggested in November 2010 (22 per cent), nor the need to maintain opening hours at core libraries (although they have been accused of doing so).

SOL offered to help the county council in the second consultation to create a workable proposition, but instead OCC made new proposals reducing the cuts to 10 per cent. No one questions that improvement, but the problem is that the cuts are to be taken from the small rural libraries and not shared equally among the 44 libraries.

The threatened libraries have grown frustrated with the lack of response and the apparent lack of forethought in the proposal. Representatives of SOL met with OCC but gained the impression that no new ideas will be considered. OCC’s oft-repeated mantra, ‘We are listening’, sounds empty. The current proposal was created without consulting the libraries’ Friends whom OCC wants to implement the solution, and discriminates against rural residents (50 per cent of the population carries 100 per cent of the front-line cuts). OCC rejected the idea of using even a single volunteer at the ‘core libraries’ supposedly that would fail to fulfil a comprehensive and efficient service.

If we are to keep our libraries and the extended services they provide, we suggest that OCC has the genuine consultation that councillor Mitchell promised and fully engage with the people they want to involve.

Paddy Landau, Chairman of Save Kennington Library, Member of Save Oxfordshire Libraries, Kennington