MELBOURN and Bassingbourn libraries are preparing for more visitors while Cambridge central library is closed for refurbishment. The central library will close from Christmas until spring 2008, with other libraries in the area opening longer and carrying

MELBOURN and Bassingbourn libraries are preparing for more visitors while Cambridge central library is closed for refurbishment.

The central library will close from Christmas until spring 2008, with other libraries in the area opening longer and carrying extra stock.

Melbourn and Bassingbourn are staffed by volunteers and have shorter opening hours.

Melbourn library is open for two hours five days a week, while Bassingbourn opens on three days for a total of eight-and-a-half hours.

Mike Stapleton from Melbourn library, said he was worried by the closure.

He said: "We intend to do our best to fill the gap, but we are disappointed that the library service is unable to offer a realistic service to our area."

But volunteers at Melbourn Library have been making improvements.

Mr Stapleton said: "We have started with the children's section by adding a lot of new books, games which they love, and displays on halloween and Pudsey Bear."

Mr Stapleton said children would not be the only ones to benefit from the changes to the library.

He said: "We intend to put on a central display every two or three weeks which will reflect major television programmes, which we started with Jane Eyre.