They did so much more

Informal social work, such as providing social interaction for the elderly and vulnerable, educating and entertaining young and old people, promoting literacy andhelping people find employment were among the many important tasks to society they carried out.

The dramatic fall in visits to the libraries in which they used to work, since the staff left, indicates that library users have voted with their feet.

In a city which can afford millions to demolish buildings and host a bike race for a day, surely we can afford a fraction of the amount these things cost to employ much-needed and much-loved community librarians.

Matthew Smith

by email