Closures are a disgrace

Ryhope and Fulwell and all of the local libraries are being closed down.

For someone like myself who has used the library service since I could walk it is devastating.

These closures are affecting those who need the service more ever. I borrow and order books and use the internet for job search, emailing and other research.

Local libraries have always existed for a reason. They are accessible to the community and schools, and save people like myself pulling out travel expenses. Nobody seems to have considered that school children come and use both the books and the internet to do their homework.

Young children cannot expected to travel into the city centre unaccompanied.

The North East has the lowest levels in literacy in the country, and I should know as I have helped out with an adult literacy class not so long ago. These are the wrong steps to be taking.

Sunderland as a whole is supposed to be a city of culture and literacy is part of that. I don’t suppose there have been any cuts in councillors’ perks recently though.

Karen Beadnell