• WHETHER or not Shaun Bailey was sincere in his praise for dedicated Camden library volunteers, there is no doubt that members of the public value and admire their contributions to the cultural wellbeing of local communities, (Tory mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey praises fight that saved library, February 21).

It is notable that Cllr Jonathan Simpson had no such praise. Cllr Simpson’s comments were primarily political point-scoring. To make them relevant to the subject of Camden’s libraries (for which he has prime responsibility), he needs to amplify his statements.

For instance, he complains that the government has reduced its financial support for Camden Council. Of course, this is true and within the government support package is money for public libraries.

However the money for public libraries is not ring-fenced and local authorities have a nasty habit of diverting some of it to other purposes.

Perhaps Cllr Simpson could tell us how much the council received this year for library support from central government and compare it with Camden’s library budget. If he can do this we can judge what harm, if any, government policy is inflicting on Camden’s library service.

One of the points made in your report was that there have been warnings that future Camden funding for “non-statutory services” was at risk.

There is little doubt that this is accurate, but it cannot apply to the borough’s library service. Any councillor who makes this suggestion is attempting to mislead.

Public library services are statutory services. Every local authority has a duty under the 1964 Public Libraries & Museums Act to provide library services which are both “comprehensive and efficient”.

ALAN TEMPLETON
Chair, Camden Public Libraries Users’ Group