Based on the statistics, there seems little doubt that Bradford libraries are in something of a crisis as far as patronage by the public is concerned. Borrowing fell by 53 per cent over a decade compared to a 25 per cent drop nationally. In just one year the number of books taken out in the district's 30 libraries fell from 2.24 million to 1.9 million.

A large part of the problem, apparently, has been caused by under-funding. The libraries service simply has not been able to buy enough books to satisfy the expectations of the public. Consequently there have been fewer visits.

However, extra money has now been provided to improve that situation. What the service now needs to do is woo back the public who have deserted it and attract new users, not only to its bookshelves but for the information technology facilities - which have fared considerably better over the past few years.

Sunday opening, which has been suggested as one possible way of doing this, could well be worth a try. A pilot project at Shipley has been deemed a success. In fact Shipley is well placed to take advantage of this initiative, with the library sited close to the town's major supermarket. The more attractions there are close at hand obviously the better.

Sunday now is almost as busy as any other day commercially. People expect service at times when it has not traditionally been available. The times are changing, and the library service seems to have realised that if is to thrive it will have to change with them.