I love libraries but hate shopping centres. This would make me less likely to visit a library. Expensive frothy coffee will deter people far less wealthy than Mrs Hodge; parents often avoid environments with pricey treats. Books and a welcoming atmosphere are vital. Most librarians do a great job. Government targets and cutbacks are the main enemy to what was once a great library system - funny that Mrs Hodge hasn't noticed that.

kath bell, Nottingham, England

She is not saying anything that we librarians have not known for some time. There has been enormous change in the profession and in ways of doing things in recent years. We are trying many different things. Some work better than others. Some work better in some places. We are not about to stop innovating any time soon.

It may be that librarians here in the United States have enjoyed more success lately. According to a recent "Library Journal" survey, 49% of North American public libraries reported increased circulation in 2007. Only 22% saw a decrease. Libraries face serious challenges from the new media, but as yet they are not crashing as many predicted.

D.L. Anderson, Crossett, AR/U.S.A.

It's great to know that rural Warwickshire is at least, if not better than New York . From my home I can order a book from anywhere in the Warwickshire network which is delivered to my local library and I am automatically notified. I can also view and renew any books that I have out. As it happens my next job is to print off a list of all the books on each of our four tickets, to make sure that I have all 40 books ready before our visit to the library tomorrow. Our local library also has plenty of computers, a coffee machine, comfy sofas and a meeting room. I think that the libraries are doing a great job.

Getting people off the computer and out of the house in the first place is the problem.

Joyce, Alcester, Warwickshire

Libraries abroad are way ahead of ours. We need to emrace change and technology. However, if put in twn centres, parents should not use libraries to leave children whilst shopping.

Hamad Lone, London, England

We need more councillors throughout the country who think like Henry Higgins of Hillingdon and who have the vision and the will to 'do what's right'. Sadly, he seems to be an exception. Of the panel of councillors who recently conducted Hampshire County Council's long and drawn-out scrutiny process on libraries, NOT ONE was a member of their local library and the chairman was pleased to say that he doesn't read books. Libraries are in the wrong hands.

Amanda , Gosport, UK

Some people, including Mrs Hodge, seem to think that libraries can only be successful or valid if they become something that they were never supposed to be. Hence 'discovery centres' and so on. Pathetic.

Craig Gerrard, Liverpool, UK

I stopped using my local library shortly after finishing university as the book stock was so poor. However, a change of job a couple of years ago meant that I no longer had the disposal income to feed my bookshop habit and so I returned to the library. In the meantime a lot of funding had been invested in new stock, and I often borrow books from the library that I have seen the same week on the bookshop 'new stock' table. I am spoilt for choice - a library in my village, the main library in Shrewsbury and a small branch at my workplace in Shirehall. Maybe workplace libraries in big office developments, hospitals etc are worth investigating more widely?

Hannah, Shrewsbury,

Take a look at other countries and you can see what opportunities there are for library improvement. The New York Public Library for instance, has an online website, where a member can search for and reserve a book from any branch library in the network. Once the book becomes available, it is sent to the member's designated library branch for pick up. An email is dispatched to notify them of this. This service is available for any type of media be it a book, a CD, a video or a DVD.

Madrid has mini mobile libraries in some of their subway stations. Even though they are small and compact, the location with busy foot traffic ensures that they are well patronised.

Of course no matter what you do, you can't get people to go to a library unless they are well stocked with books that they want to read.

M Yeung, Barcelona, Spain

Thank you for noting the developments in Hillingdon.

We have put IMACs and Starbucks in our libraries with great success, but what are most passionate about is book stock - we've invested in new books for our libraries to provide people with better quality books and access to titles that they want to read.

With up to 120% increase in visitor numbers, 80% more book issues and 141% increase in library memberships the results speak for themselves.

This kind of development needs solid investment and financial committment.

Cllr Henry Higgins, Hillingdon,

Maybe the Culture Minister should visit a few libraries before giving her considered advice. New age libraries provide access to cultural activities, child care, children's services, a coffee shop, areas to conduct meetings (with Internet access), access to virtual services (ask @ your library, ask a librarian email, SMS, virtual libraries and directories, children's holiday programs online) and electronic resources just to name a few. They also provide access to traditional services as well. Libraries ceased to be book repositories a long time ago. It's a pity the Minister didn't take the time to research her topic, but relied on the stereotype of libaries and librarians instead of finding out exactly what the profession actually does. Information Science at undergraduate level in Western Australia is a 4 year double degree in Information Technology and Information Science. Society and Govt also need to remember that such services require adequate funding as well as trained personnel.

B. Combes, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

If libraries stopped trying so hard to be popular and instead pushed good quality books (preferably the products of serious research rather than modern slap-dash biographies) then it would be worthwhile using them - at present their collections are so intellectually weak as to be patronising.

John Scott, London,