Peter Bolt, vice-chairman, Friends of Kingsbridge Library, of Linhey Close, Kingsbridge, writes: I am sure your readers are aware of the swingeing cuts in public services initiated by the Government's austerity programme and how it has affected our library in Kingsbridge. We have retained our library and to a large extent we have to thank the library organiser and her staff for their effective service to the community. We as friends of Kingsbridge Library have been supporting the library and encouraging the public to see that it has more to offer than just loaning books. The group has supported initiatives and presented talks by visiting authors and presentations from actors about Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. Our most recent and very successful event was the Nick Rawlinson's Unawares presentation about Britain's society just prior to the First World War. We have also encouraged people to take an active part in the recent consultation process set up by Devon County Council about their options for change, and it is quite clear that whatever is being planned for our library, the Friends of Kingsbridge Library will be playing a key supporting role in ensuring that the core functions of the valuable community resource remain in place. To do this we need a strong committee. Our committee has always been small considering the size of our membership (41 people). However, we have managed to get things done regardless of this limitation. This is why I am making a simple appeal to you as ­members and users of the library. We, as a committee, face a great challenge in that we are losing both our chairman and treasurer at the same time this year, which leaves the committee looking more vulnerable and unrepresentative. I would be grateful, if you are a regular library user, if you would consider attending the forthcoming AGM on Thursday, October 23, at 11am at the library and consider ­joining our committee. For more information, please call me on 01548 852529.