STAFF at North Swindon Library are preparing to celebrate the library's first birthday.

A packed programme of special activities is being arranged to attract young children and their mums and older people to the event on Thursday, May 13

There will be a session by the Mini Musicians, who are six months and older.

Other events include an aromatherapy and hand massage demonstration.

There will also be story times for toddlers and the launch of a new readers' group.

In the evening, there will be a games club model-making session and games during the late afternoon.

Later, the popular SOKS homework help club will also be running a session to show young people how the club can make homework fun and interesting.

Everyone attending will receive special discounts on all sound and vision hire taken out that day. There will also be tea, coffee and cake in the afternoon.

Gilli Brookes-Palmer, library manager said: "We want to take this opportunity to show everyone that libraries are about so much more than books.

"People of all ages can come and see for themselves what a great range of services libraries have to offer including free internet access and use of software packages and an excellent variety of videos, DVDs and CDs to hire to suit all tastes.

"The library also has an important role to play in bringing people together and many community groups use the library as their base."