Sir – When the county council meets on February 15 to agree the budget for 2011-2012, it will do so on the basis of proposals to withdraw funding from 20 libraries across the county.

The Oxford Civic Society has made representations directly to the council, and through this newspaper, requesting a full and proper consultation with the public, together with a comprehensive analysis of the current costs and potential savings; all of this to be available in the public domain.

As a minimum action before the budget meeting, the society now asks for a public undertaking by the county council that no named libraries will be affected, adversely or otherwise, by any decision taken on February 15, pending the conclusion of the due process outlined above.

Such a step would go some way towards addressing the widespread public concern that the proposed restructuring of the library service is a “fait accompli”.

It is premature to conclude at this stage that the only way to achieve the desired savings is to remove funding from 20 libraries.

The wider national debate has already produced many worthwhile ideas: some money making, perhaps selling coffee or providing Internet cafes; some using volunteers to reduce costs or extend services; some on co-location with other civic facilities such as community centres and schools.

These ideas could reduce costs and improve services at all 43 libraries and certainly deserve serious consideration.

We are happy, along with other interested parties across the county, to accept Keith Mitchell’s invitation to discuss this matter round the table with members and officers provided it is on the basis of the full and proper consultation outlined above.

Gordon Balme, Hon treasurer, Oxford Civic Society