SIR, — I d like to thank Mr Norman Hart for taking the trouble to write about noise levels in the Maltings Library (Herts Advertiser, April 24) and have read with interest the often hostile responses following his letter, which I think explain a lot. With

SIR, - I'd like to thank Mr Norman Hart for taking the trouble to write about noise levels in the Maltings Library (Herts Advertiser, April 24) and have read with interest the often hostile responses following his letter, which I think explain a lot.

Without going through the pros and cons all over again, may I make a suggestion. To cater for all ideas about the role of the modern library, why not use funds - saved by the closure of the Fleetville and Cell Barnes libraries - to erect a few partitions? Thus providing areas for the noisy ones to do whatever it is they want to do and somewhere for the others to read, use computers and do research in comparative peace.

Whoever thought that an open-plan library was a good idea obviously, in my opinion, got it all wrong and some designated spaces for the various activities of the libraries would fit the bill and keep us all happy.

BEtty ewens,

Brampton Road, St Albans.