I'd like to address the issues raised by Eliza Fricker regarding Brighton's Jubilee Library (Letters, March 11)

No library is perfect and, even though ours has now won 11 national awards, we are still encouraging people's comments about how we can improve.

So we are taking on board Ms Fricker's point about more PCs being made available for staff and we are working on the increased shelving requirement generated by the greater use and turnover of stock.

One of the concepts behind the project was to create a landmark building which was not institutional or off-putting. We feel the internal spaces created give it a "wow" factor which celebrates books and reading.

We wanted to create an open and welcoming feel and enable the greatest possible access.

The idea was to create a userfriendly environment which would be attractive for both existing and new customers, borrowing ideas used in bookshops.

We wanted to create a sense of space which would allow users to comfortably browse or search books, read the papers, study, meet friends, attend activities and use computers - without feeling crowded in or having to seek staff help all the time.

Before we opened, an additional 25,000 new items were purchased for Jubilee Library in addition to the existing stock.

The shelves were packed when we opened but now the increase in users means about 50 per cent of the lending stock is on loan at any one time.

Items borrowed in the initial rush have been returned and circulated and purchase of new titles is continuing.

Additional funds have also been earmarked for the first year so we could respond to gaps in provision resulting from new patterns of use.

Regarding apparently empty spaces - suitable physical access to the stock is required to meet the Disability Discrimination Act.

There is also generous spacing between shelves and chairs, particularly downstairs, where most people meet, circulate and browse. This was always intended.

We have introduced a self-service issue and return system, a computer booking system plus more public catalogues and computers.

We have also created new spaces for young people in consultation with a teenage user group and brought together our collection of 45,000 rare books and special collections for the first time.

Visits to the library have increased nearly every month since opening.

It shows more and more people are returning to the library after using it and many new members have been attracted for the first time.

The provision of self-service facilities is meant to enable customers to make more of their own choices, borrowing or returning stock or booking a PC, without the need for staff intervention.

This enables staff to more pro-actively offer help elsewhere.

-Nigel Imi, professional and collections manager, Brighton and Hove City Council