IT was good to see so many people protesting against Darlington Borough Council’s plans to close Crown Street library (Echo, Mar 14). The authority says it has no choice but we think there is another way.

Make our libraries into subscription clubs. Hold society meetings there and more school activities in them. Let the public help.

I’d also like to see the authority reduce councillors’ salaries.

Value our libraries and bring in volunteers to help.

Valerie Smith, Darlington

EARLIER this month I was taken on a fascinating upstairs and downstairs tour of Darlington library, in Crown Street. We were escorted by two lovely dedicated staff who told us all about the building and treasures within.

Some of the books are over four hundred years old and very valuable.

Being a proud railway town if we lose this magnificent building, along with the historic indoor market, it would be like ripping out the heart of Darlington.

Once it has gone it will never be replaced.

Christine Turner, Darlington

DARLINGTON’S Labour-controlled council, having borrowed £8m to accommodate 400 government employees from Mowden Hall, have made the tough decision to make 186 council workers, including library staff, redundant. In addition, they are set to jeopardise the livelihoods of an employment of several hundred market traders and suppliers.

As residents, we have endured many such “choice” decisions such as the loss of Darlington show, Darlington Dog Show, stalls and parking on the Market Square, presumably to keep our councillors in the manner to which they have become accustomed.

The Labour cabinet blames the government but forgets who provided £3m for the ring road, £9m for town centre pedestrianisation, £6m for town hall improvements and £14.4m for the Haughton Road link road.

Many of these projects were unnecessary but decisions were made before the usual consultation process.

We are left paying the council leader £35,000 per year which could, with another “tough” decision, pay for the town centre toilets to be reopened.

Labour may treat us like peasants but the people are revolting. The disappearance of the Crown Street library and the indoor market could be the precursor to the disappearance of any Labour representation come the next election.

Jean Jones, Darlington