Sir – I read that Oxfordshire County Council is planning to close 50 per cent of our libraries. This is cultural vandalism of an unprecedented nature.

One aspect of this which pertains to last week’s correspondence concerning Stage One results in the city, is the effect on library closures on children.

At a time when parents are being encouraged to read stories to children, which stimulate their imagination, which widen their vocabulary and lead them to read for themselves, many homes lack sufficient books. This makes the resources available in school and local libraries essential. A class visit to the children’s section of the local library should be as important as a visit to the nature reserve or museum. Librarians skilled in addressing the interests and needs of children lead them to the riches available and urge them to bring their parents along and become borrowers. Can county councillors seriously contemplate depriving thousands of their electors and their children of these essential resources?

Martin Sheldon, Headington Quarry