I AM writing to express my dismay at what appears to be the intention of Worcestershire County Council to dismantle its Music Library Service.

My concern is with the likely effect of these proposals on listeners to, and performers of, "classical" music. But, if other kinds of music are threatened, then I regret this too.

I understand that this is not a cost-cutting exercise. Indeed, I believe that the number of senior managers in the service is to be much increased, and that there are to be six new posts for librarians dealing with social inclusion, and three new posts from reader development and marketing.

Presumably, "social inclusion" means the provision of an adequate service for as many significant interest groups as possible within the council's area. Users of the present Music Library Service constitute one such group and, if this provision is withdrawn or curtailed, then that group will be excluded.

The success of Classic FM and the thriving state of music in schools - whose students themselves need support from the Library Service - show that there is a huge potential market of people who would like to develop their musical interest through further listening and/or performing.

The council's job is to turn this into an actual market through publicity and development of the Music Library Service. This would be an admirable project for the new appointees in reader development and marketing.

If the council does not do this, but ignores this potential market in order to justify downgrading of the service, then, of course, the market will disappear.

Recordings and printed music will be less readily available, so people will be discouraged from developing their interest, and will eventually give up.

This is a grave responsibility. Is the council happy to bear it?

DR MIKE SMITH,

Stourbridge.