PUBLIC LIBRARY and REFERENDUM.
Congratulaions on once again producing in the third leading article the seed corn for ideas. Hertford library is a delightful building, but far too small for purpose. Inside there is a brass plaque to Eric Heffer 1922-1991 who studied in the library. From humble beginnings, and witnessing the Jarrow March of 1936, passing through Hertford in the land of opportunity and Public Libraries, he too rose to become Minister of State. He was one of the best 'No' speakers on the losing side of the 1975 Referendum. It is a fitting memorial that there is a major contribution to his career in the Internet Wikipediia
The people now denied the vote, his left wing, our centre and the right wing depend on the unelected Lords to save Her Majesty, the Queen, from bending her knee before President Blair, or some German or Frenchman. Shame, shame, everlasting shame.

Gut Liam, Hertford, England

It's not rocket-science: all they need to do is give libraries a bit of spit-and-polish, open them long hours (seven days a week) and fill them with books. People will flock back. The Government seems to want to get rid of books in libraries because they fear that all those 'words' will offend the illiterate. It's rather reminiscent of churches that try not to mention God in case it puts people off. Books are the whole point of libraries, just as God is the whole point of church.

Amanda , Gosport, UK

The vast majority of library funding should be spent on books. I don't want to borrow them from expensive glassy airport lounges, I don't want to loaf on sofas supping cappuccinos as if I was in Borders or on Friends, and I don't want our libraries to be dictated to by an out of touch minister who'll say anything to try and appeal to the people she happens to be talking to at the time. If she wants to read a book I expect she buys it on expenses.

Neil McF, Southampton, England