•  Open letter to the Conservative administration on Barnet Borough Council Barnet libraries offer a vital resource to all residents — namely the the possibility of self-improvement.

They meet many needs: the desire of the uneducated to educate themselves; the aspiration of parents that their children improve on what their own generation has achieved and the ambitions of a low-paid worker who studies to gain qualifications.

Libraries are a vital resource for the jobless person who needs a library in order to apply for work and immigrants who may need to study English in order to be successful and bring prosperity to their adopted home.

Libraries offer a place of warmth and compassion for all ages in the community and allow the self-determination of today’s students in reaching their goals.

These aims and aspirations reflect traditional Conservative values. To cut our service will damage the chances of budding entrepreneurs; the very people we need to deliver a strong and prosperous Britain.

So we urge you to reconsider the substantial cuts embodied in the recently finished consultation. There are alternatives. Please consider voting for the opposition motion that calls for a suspension of the consultation in order to take a fresh look at the possibilities for an enhanced service with more creative uses of the library buildings we have.

A vote for the motion does not signal defeat, rather an opportunity to investigate alternative funding streams, through local businesses, charities or national government, to allow the continued support for these vital services.

Residents across Barnet have told us repeatedly that they value and cherish their local library. We hope that you will use your office to reflect their wishes and protect this much-loved institution.

Anne Clarke, of Save Childs Hill and Golders Green Library Group, Rami Shah and Rita Atri, of Osidge/East Barnet Library User Group, Alasdair Hill and Richard Logue, of Mill Hill Residents’ Association, Nicole Burstein, of Save Barnet Libraries, Joanna Witt, Polly Napper and Adam Gee, of East Finchley Library Users Group