Coun Herbert Tindall expressed his concern about the potential loss of the mobile library service saying: "The idea of putting 1,500 books in village halls would not work. If it is not broke why mend it?

"It is an important service many people in the rural areas use."

At a meeting of the Northern Area Committee last Tuesday, Coun Dorothy Clegg condemned the idea as "deplorable" and described how villages had already suffered from the closure of pubs and shops.

She pointed out the mobile library is not just used by OAPs and for pleasure but also for study, research by students and for an outreach project by Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB).

Coun Jane Mortimer added: "It is a fantastic service and it would be a good idea to try and get other agencies such as the PCT or police to use the bus."

Coun Sandra Turner said it is an essential service and to cut it is totally wrong.

Christiane Kroebel said she uses the service in Sandsend, but sometimes has to drive to the next village in order for her daughter to use it.

"At 2.20pm on Wednesday is a bad time for me and as I seem to be the only one who uses it, I would support its closure in Sandsend."

She added that as a career librarian she was against cuts and could not understand why the decision had been taken to close Sleights Library in October 2005.

"I've seen PCSOs and Scarborough Borough Council's Gemma Ryan on the bus and perhaps services need to be tailored," she said.

Chairman Coun Joe Plant said: "It's a lifeline to many people in many ways."

Coun Jim Preston said: "Coun Tindall you have got our full support and Coun Dorothy Clegg said she will speak to the CAB.

Mobile libraries are provided by North Yorkshire County Council to rural communities.

Each carries around 2,500 items including books, videos, DVDs, and audio books.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council told the Whitby Gazette in November that, as with all of its services, it has to make sure money spent on the library and information service offers the taxpayer best value.

The committee will write to North Yorkshire County Council setting out its concerns and reasons for keeping the service.

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