A library at the heart of a village community is celebrating its 50th birthday with a series of events this month.

Bourne End Library is marking the milestone with visits from best-selling authors and a musical performance for children throughout May.

The Wakeman Road library first opened its doors on May 31, 1967 following a construction that was marred by problems.

In 1966, burglars broke in to the unfinished building and lit a fire which destroyed part of the roof timbers.

At the time there was no one working on the site as the council’s contractors had gone into administration.

The library finally opened the year after at a cost of £18,000, and is believed to have been the first branch library in the country to be fully carpeted.

Within three hours of the library’s opening, a total of 410 junior and 233 adult books had been issued.

Before their new library opened, residents had to make do with borrowing books from a shed next to the Walnut Tree pub.

The library’s first librarian was Mrs Ajit Sethi and staff were able to make use of the Telex system to contact headquarters to see if a book was available.

In 2008 work began on extending the library to include exhibition space and meeting rooms.

Once again, construction did not go entirely to plan, as gas pipes were found in the garden, delaying completion.

Bourne End became a community library three years ago, and its three paid staff are supported by several volunteers.

Library manager Inka D’Agostino, who has worked there since 1999, said: “The library has seen its fair share of changes over the last 50 years, but its great value to the community remains the same as ever.

“It's a place where everyone can come to socialise, enjoy the garden and monthly art exhibitions, attend fabulous events, and of course borrow a good book.

“We’re really looking forward to celebrating our birthday and hope to see as many people as possible in the library during the festival.”

Bourne End Library’s birthday events:

  • An evening with author Rachel Rhys, author of A Dangerous Crossing, Thursday, May 18, from 7pm to 10pm. Tickets £8 to include drinks reception.
  • Afternoon Tea with Mark Mason, author of Walk the Lines, Friday, May 19, from 3pm to 5pm. Tickets £10 to include afternoon tea.
  • An Evening with Gerald Seymour, the best-selling thriller writer, to discuss his new novel Jericho’s War, Friday, May 26, 7pm to 10pm. Tickets £10 to include drinks reception.
  • An Evening with Vaseem Khan, author of the Inspector Chopra novels set in Mumbai, Saturday, May 27, 6pm to 8pm. Tickets £8 to include drinks reception and Indian Street Food. 
  • The Wonderful World of Patrick, a musical event for children, accompanied by Quentin Blake artwork, Tuesday, May 30, 2.30pm to 4pm. Tickets for adults £9, concessions £7, family ticket £28.

Tickets can be bought directly from Bourne End Community Library or by emailing lib-boe@buckscc.gov.uk.