Given the high levels of borrowing from Brighton's Jubilee Library, it is not surprising a large number of items were returned over the four-day holiday when it was closed (Letters, January 9).

Nothing was due back until the library had opened again on December 29 so no fines would have been incurred if people had chosen to take their books back home, instead of posting them through the library out-of-hours letterbox.

All Brighton and Hove's libraries have a letterbox which enables people to return items when the library is closed.

Similar arrangements are in place in public libraries throughout the country, with no ill effects.

However, provision was made to cushion the books which were returned in this way. Every item was checked by library staff on its return after the break and, I can assure residents, no items were damaged.

-Councillor Sue John, Brighton and Hove City Council