Sir – In response to your readers’ comments on county council proposals to cease funding 20 out of our 43 libraries, I neeed to make two points.

Firstly, the local government financial settlement confirms that we cannot afford to maintain the present network of 43 libraries in the county. If we were to exempt libraries from cuts, the burden would have to fall on adult social care; safeguarding of vulnerable children; care for those with a learning disability; our youth service; our fire and rescue service or highways maintenance.

No one asking for their local library to be kept open has suggested which of these service areas should be targeted.

Secondly, the remaining 23 libraries deal with 82 per cent of the library visits in Oxfordshire. I think this means that those remaining libraries provide an efficient and comprehensive service and I am hoping the Libraries Minister will confirm this view.

Dealing specifically with Oxford libraries, the Central library is superbly well equipped; it has one of the highest usage levels in the country and is accessible to Oxford residents by public transport. Bus services are free to the over-60s after 9am.

All of our Oxfordshire schools have a library and we are looking at their book stock to ensure they address the library needs of young people.

Finally, where a community values its library, we are throwing down the challenge of the Big Society.

The county council is willing to work with elected members and local communities where there is a wish to sustain a library through local fundraising and volunteers.

Keith R Mitchell, Leader, Oxfordshire County Council