What's the game with gadgets in our libraries?

I WRITE to express my complete horror at the changes made to my local library. I have been a resident of Kirkliston for eight years, and in that time my three children have grown up enjoying the library on a twice weekly basis.

For books, reading, drawing, storytelling, toddler music clubs – all activities that promote literacy, an appreciation of books and thus the gaining of knowledge, and an atmosphere of learning.

What on earth was the city council thinking when it chose to install half a dozen gaming systems, ridiculously large and noisy television screens, and a faux youth club atmosphere (and clientele) where once there was a bigger selection of kids' books, the chalk board the kids loved, and the opportunity to relax?

On a school day, myself and my 16-month-old son were subjected (luckily once our storytelling club had finished) to the entrance of eight teenagers – probably 14-15 year olds who decided to take advantage of the aforesaid gaming systems and televisions and basically drown out the entire library. These teenagers were, apparently, on exam leave.

Why is this equipment in a library? If it's some kind of misconceived notion at patronising a deprived demographic area, why not go for the youth club, community centre, or sports centre? I'm appalled, as were the other library users, and as were the (admittedly professional and diplomatic) staff.

An elderly lady asked whether the equipment would be turned down whilst her book club took place. She was told "probably not". For a book club - in a library.

I'm the owner of a Nintendo Wii, and an Xbox 360 – did I ever think it appropriate to take either of these down to the library, plug it in, and hack everybody else off? No. Did I ever think our council tax would effectively pay for free gaming systems for the community? No, else I'd have not paid my council tax for April and May (I could have bought a Sony PS3 to fit in with the new user profile).

How do gaming systems educate/inform/stimulate social interaction? (and they certainly weren't playing Brain Training. Football it was!) Why can't staff turn the volume down?

Why must my children listen to swearing from these new users? I'm sure if I swore around anyone in a library I'd expect to be admonished.

I am now planning to not use the library this summer – can you imagine what it's going to be like?

Adrian Griffiths, Kirklands Park Gardens, Kirkliston


ID card scheme will never be a success

FROM Meg Hillier MP's letter ("Getting the wrong ID about databases", May 12) one might conclude that the Government's ID cards scheme is on track and in good shape. This is patently not the case.

It is now six months since we had the fiasco of the missing two Government CDs, but we were immediately reassured that "lessons would be learnt".

However, only last week it was reported that officials from the Department for Work and Pensions had been sending out highly sensitive data in packages that included the passwords.

The Government clearly remains totally out of its depth on matters of effective data security and the protection of our identities.

Ms Hillier informs us that cost of the scheme has been "reduced by nearly £1 billion to £4.56bn". Unfortunately, this is just typical government creative accounting.

For example, the plan is to move biometric enrolment out to the private sector. This will inevitably mean that we will all have to pay for our own fingerprinting, so no real saving there.

It really is about time that the Government came to its senses over ID cards. Few people remain in favour, and most technical experts judge that the scheme is overly ambitious and is never going to work.

Dr John Welford, NO2ID Edinburgh, Boat Green, Edinburgh


Time to discuss the future of archives

MICHAEL TURNBULL'S article (Mouthpiece, May 6) expresses entirely legitimate concern in regard to the decision to divide the material currently held in the Scottish Catholic Archives in Edinburgh between repositories in Aberdeen and Glasgow.

I write to endorse the points he makes; and I do so as perhaps the only surviving member of the group who had the privilege of helping to inaugurate the Scottish Catholic Historical Association and the Innes Review.

The circumstances and considerations that have led the Scottish Catholic Heritage Commission to recommend such a radical policy may be imperative; but a clear statement and time for discussion seem to be essential prerequisites before what would be a virtually irreversible decision is reached by the Bishops' Conference.

Professor JH Burns, Chiltern House, Hillcrest Road, London


Toilets need to be better managed

REGARDING Andrew Murphy's letter of May 5, the sad fact is that the toilets on Hunter Square were a focal point for drug use and dealing, petty theft and prostitution, underage drinking and gatherings of alcoholics, some of whom urinated on the square during the day, even when the toilets were functioning.

Closure of the toilets and community policing introduced has much improved matters, although some problems clearly still remain in the area.

The way forward is better management of it: a reasonable person does not leave a used sanitary towel in a close.

Malcolm Cole, Hunter Square


Not chuffed after Tank Engine show

I TOOK along my three-year-old son, who is a big fan, to see Thomas Saves the Day at the Playhouse.

After paying £32 for our tickets and a further £6 more for a brochure, ice cream and a treat, I must say we were disappointed in the show!

My son pointed out that Percy was in the wrong shed, and for the whole show, he went kept asking "Where is James?" In the end I had to tell him he was on a holiday.

Laura Moohan, Dalkeith, Midlothian