IWANTED to make some points on behalf of library staff who can t make their views known without the threat of disciplinary action. . Councillor Flick Rea s view (Job losses as libraries begin a new chapter, H&H July 23) that staff are extremely support

IWANTED to make some points on behalf of library staff who can't make their views known without the threat of disciplinary action. .

Councillor Flick Rea's view (Job losses as libraries begin a new chapter, H&H July 23) that ''staff are extremely supportive and excited about the coming changes'' is very far from the truth. Her further comments were just downright insulting. She has stood in front of all the staff at their conferences and congratulated them on their dedication and hard work.

Now, to justify a programme of 'efficiency savings' she is rewriting history by claiming the service is 'higgledy-piggledy' and needs to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck and sorted out.

The changes will be introduced as the result of a single member decision. Just one councillor will vote through the policy despite the major oreorganisation involved and the admitted fact that people are going to lose their jobs.

Camden has been trumpeting that it is a four-star authority. How did it ever achieve that status with such an apparently useless library service?

If you are the fort of person who likes to use the self-service machines in supermarkets or thinks that the libraries are basically internet cafes then you will love the new Camden service. But if you like to speak to well-trained, knowledgeable staff then I suggest you go to Waterstones.

I gather that internally the policy is referred to as 'growing your library - the swarf stock variety' but in reality what is happening should give no cause for laughter.

MARK GILCHRIST

Bartholomew Road, NW5

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