'A SYMBOL of Knowledge and Culture Destroyed'.

THIS phrase is most associated with the burning and destruction of the Royal Ancient Library of Alexandria. It can, however, be equally applied to the systematic attacks on the library service in Trafford by our ruling council.

Having taken early retirement from a benevolent and enlightened multinational chemical company I worked as a part time library assistant in Trafford Libraries from 2002 to 2012. I spent several years covering staff sickness/ holidays in all the Trafford libraries (including the mobile library) and four years at Lostock Library.

During this time I witnessed the outrageous pressure put on the dedicated front line library staff who were initially forced to reapply for their own jobs (even those with more than 20 years' experience who regularly spent hours of their own time preparing material for children's activities etc.).

This inevitably, as was the plan, led to a reduction in staff numbers. This was followed by making the library staff take responsibility for administrating on line council services and most recently benefits.

While this was going on the Council also scrapped the mobile library service and attempted to close the Old Trafford Library which was only reprieved due to public protests and demonstrations.

The last so-called council initiative has resulted in the loss of further front line staff and library managers and the use of well-intentioned but poorly trained volunteers in libraries and administration of the Home Library Service. Not content with all these measures the council now proposes to close Bowfell, Davyhulme and Lostock libraries. I would urge all Trafford voters to protest against the closure of Davyhulme and Lostock Libraries.

Ken Evans

Benbecula Way

Urmston