FOR many years I have used the facilities at Acomb District Library and always found the staff polite, pleasant and helpful, but one thing has got steadily worse - the noise.

Libraries used to be quiet places where you could read, study, research or write in peace, but not anymore. Even the study area is now closed at Acomb.

Apparently, some large libraries are now installing tea, coffee and biscuit machines to make the place "more user friendly". I object to this change of emphasis. Is there any chance that City of York Council could guarantee that its libraries will once again become places of peace and quiet?

David Quarrie,

Lynden Way,

Holgate, York.

Updated: 10:22 Monday, January 07, 2002