Dear Councillor John Hart,

I’m told the Council is planning to withdraw mobile libraries from rural areas of Devon.
I understand completely that at the moment councils up and down the country are cutting back, that money is tight and times are hard. 

But times are harder still for the most disadvantaged amongst us. You will know that in many far flung villages and communities of Devon there are many such people, many old people living in isolation with ever fewer services to sustain them at home, and many families existing in poverty - rural Devon is high on the list of poverty amongst children, as I’m sure you are aware.  

It is sadly all too common in this country, that town and city libraries are often targeted for closure when councils need to cut back. But to cut back, to cancel,  the only access to libraries to those in most need, those young and old in poverty or isolation in our villages and remote rural areas, is simply wrong. Libraries, like education, like the health service, should be for everyone, and especially for the most needy.

Exeter, as you know, has recently been enjoying a year as UNESCO City of Literature, an honour much deserved. There is a fine tradition of literature in Devon, of which we are all proud. It is therefore shameful that we should celebrate this honour by denying those most needy amongst us from the opportunity to access books. 

Mobile libraries have been much valued over the decades amongst country people, very much part of the community. So many, old and young especially, have come to rely on this regular service as an essential part of their lives. Those mobile libraries are much loved. To think of taking them away is unkind and unfair. We need kindness and fairness in our society, as I’m sure you agree.

I would appeal to you to urge your colleagues on the council to do the right thing and keep our mobile libraries. 

Best wishes,

Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE. Children’s Laureate.