Sir – It is ironic that in the week after news of Oxford having the worst Key Stage One results in the country, (24 per cent not reaching the expected reading standard), Oxfordshire County Council should announce closure of libraries in the city.
An argument for closure is that these local Oxford libraries are used less than others. Perhaps that is part of the problem.
It seems very short-sighted to close libraries specifically in the city, where we know children are struggling with reading.
Another argument is that it is easy to get a bus into Oxford to go to the Central Library. It is not that simple. It takes time and money (about £6 for an adult and two children).
I live and work in Headington and, like most other working parents with young children, rarely have time to go into the city.
Those who have the time, very often can’t spare the money for the bus fare, and it is these people who particularly rely on local library services.
The library has played a really positive role in the upbringing of my children. We have walked there regularly, from when they were toddlers. If the nearest library was in the city centre, it wouldn’t be feasible for us to use it.
C. Rounding, Headington
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