TURNING around an often asked question of the public by (Darlington) Councillor (Nick) Wallis - “I wonder how many councillors are library users?”

I truly believe that the library is an institution that comes and goes throughout one’s life. If you don’t make the effort you cannot grasp the necessity of it.

In my early teens the library was my solace. Being the eldest of five, it was a place to go for some peace, collect my books and any references needed for schoolwork, and given the preference of author’s names by my father, I chose his books also as he had little free time to attend himself.

I found myself unemployed in 2000-2001, and unable to afford a computer, I was able to access the library’s. I was also a member of Friends Reunited, and able to contact friends abroad.

Now I have retired I have rekindled the urge to read and view the artworks.

There are many other people coming from different walks of life such as mothers with babies and young children who cannot go back into work because of the exorbitant cost of child care and fewer nursery places.

Post-natal blues, depression and other mental health issues are common lace and by removing the library’s facilities and art gallery from Crown Street will place a bigger burden on the National Health.

We are forever being told that this is a growing town and therefore we require more than one leisure facility with a library shoe-horned into it. This town warrants and deserves its independent library.

C M Fishwick, Darlington