Sir – The Friends of Kennington Library are rather concerned by suggestions of volunteers running local libraries (Letters, August 5). We are an active group and so presumably just the kind of people the government and local authority has in mind. That is why we feel we must disabuse them of the idea.

We are a support group and see ourselves as helping extend the activities of the library not running the library. None of us feel qualified to take on such a role and however enthusiastic and committed we are, the likelihood of having a reliable rota for four days per week including Saturdays and Bank Holidays is sadly, wishful thinking. In fact a library like ours in Kennington is really rather low-cost and cost-effective, if you consider the breadth of its appeal and its role in the community.

Local and central government all say that the future of the country depends on education. The essential for the workforce and for successful communal living is to be literate.

A love of books is the quickest and easiest means of leading children into literacy. We believe our library with its regular children’s activities for toddlers to 11-year-olds and support for the local nurseries and primary school does just that. It also caters for all sections of the community, but the less mobile and those without Internet access at home are likely to be the hardest hit should there be cuts in provision.

We understand that savings must be made, but feel there is little scope for small efficient libraries to make cuts without risking terminal damage to the service.

Larger libraries with the space and a good location could consider generating revenue by inviting in a coffee bar chain (cf Blackwell) but that is not a possibility for small libraries.

Sylvia Vetta, (on behalf of the Friends of Kennington Library)