A government department has written to acknowledge complaints over changes to Barnet libraries.

The Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport's minister for arts, heritage and tourism John Glen MP, wrote to the Barnet Council leader Cllr Richard Cornelius, acknowledging complaints made by campaign group Save Barnet Libraries about the changes to the service.

The letter read: "In this case, after careful consideration, the Department is treating the representations as a formal complaint under section 10(1)(a) of the Act [Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964] that Barnet Council may or may not be failing to carry out its duties relating to the public library service imposed on it by or under the Act."

While the letter does not specify the department's views on whether the act has been breached, it does mention the Secretary of State could intervene if it is deemed necessary or a local inquiry could take place.

Mary Beer, of Save Barnet Libraries, said: "Barnet’s ruling Conservative regime has done nothing but waste money whilst diminishing our services, as demonstrated by the audit Committee meeting last week.

"We are now seeing libraries, such as North Finchley or Golders Green, that used to make over 100,000 loans to children each year, having barely 100 books on just two bookcases available.

Borehamwood Times: Children protesting outside Parliament with their signs and postcardsChildren protesting outside Parliament with their signs and postcards

"No sane person could call this 'promotion of a comprehensive and efficient library service' as required by law. We urge the DCMS to intervene and for Barnet to reverse these cuts immediately."

The letter mentions the council's intention to reduce library cost by £2.2million by 2019/20, but Ms Beer believes this would come from removing 50 per cent of public space and 70 per cent of the accessible opening hours to the libraries, thus discouraging people from using the service.

She added: "Barnet’s own documents show it is spending £14m on private contractors to 'save' £2.2m from its libraries, stripping out other essential features such as qualified staff or even toilet access.

"Even in the most convoluted use of the word, Barnet’s actions cannot be regarded as efficient. Indeed, such extreme and damaging cuts to our library service ensure it is the opposite of comprehensive."

Some of the representations include 400 postcards delivered by schoolchildren of Martin Primary School in East End Road, East Finchley, to the department in July.

The children had made the postcards on World Book Day and displayed them outside the gates in protest of the changes to libraries.

A Barnet Council spokesperson said: "We have received the Minister’s letter and will work closely with officials from the Department for Culture Media and Sport to provide more information on the transformation of the libraries service.

"Extensive consultation with our residents demonstrated a clear desire to keep all of our libraries open.

"Whilst delivering savings, the changes to our service will provide a cost- effective, modern service, keeping all 14 libraries in the borough open, as well as our home, mobile and digital library resources.

"A key part of the new library service offer is self-service opening at ten library sites and to date; over 11,000 residents have registered to use this new service.

The spokesperson also said at the remaining four sites, partner organisations and community groups have operated a Partnership Library offer since April.