Sir – I am outraged at the threatened closure of local libraries, including mine here in Botley. Not only does it stock many useful, interesting and enjoyable books as well as DVDs and journals, their computers are in almost constant use.

The librarians are invariably helpful and patient; I can get and return items from other libraries without having to travel. It provides an excellent service to the local community, young and old. I would feel more responsive to Keith Mitchell’s invitation to help run it myself if he was not so complacent, assuming that people more public spirited than himself will step in. But he doesn’t really care if they do or don’t. His comment on the students’ protest at the fees increase, a snobbish sneer at their appearance, suggests that he has no respect for learning. It reminds me of Heseltine dismissing our fears about the Cruise missiles at Greenham Common by calling us “woolly heads in woolly hats.” These overpaid politicians are quite content so long as their own income isn’t threatened.

Irene Gill, Oxford