Formal letter - suggestions

Formal letter

Task: You have recently read an article in your local newspaper about the fact that many people do not use the town library. Write a letter to the newspaper suggesting ways of attracting more people to the library.

In the letter you should give possible reasons why people do not use the library. You should include suggestions for improving existing facilities and providing new services.

To the Editor

Dear Sir or Madam

Several days ago your newspaper reported a surprisingly low attendance in the local libraries. It has been reported that very few people take the opportunity to read books for free. I decided to express my view on this problem and suggest some possible solutions as I feel there are some obvious reasons why so few of the town’s inhabitants visit libraries.

First of all, almost all adults have nine-to-five jobs, hence they simply do not have enough time to go to the library which is usually closed when they get back from their offices or factories. Besides, teenagers who take up part-time jobs or additional courses also are not able to visit the library between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Secondly, libraries in our area do not provide such a wide range of books as they claim. Very often they are not able to offer basic books from school’s reading lists. Nor are they able to attract people fond of well-known, contemporary writers. Last week, for instance, I could not find any of Kurt Vonnegut’s titles in the library next to my house.

The purpose of my letter though, is not to complain but to point out what can be done in order to change the present situation. First of all, I would change the opening hours. If libraries in the town were open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., more people would be able to come and borrow some books.

I would also suggest that all libraries ensure they have books of every kind, ranging from fiction to biographies. A wide choice of reading would inevitably attract many new visitors.

It may also be a good idea to organize some free lectures, slide shows or film projections to arouse people’s interest in literature and broaden their knowledge about famous writers.

All in all, I feel that improvements like those mentioned by me in this letter will make inhabitants of the town visit libraries more often. I hope you will print my suggestions in your newspaper together with opinions of other readers.

Yours faithfully