Public libraries have been in the news this month with the revelation that almost 800 have closed their doors in the last decade thanks to austerity. 

In Fairfield, however, we are luckier than some. Besides our own much-loved telephone box, we are entitled as residents of Central Bedfordshire to join and borrow books from the libraries in Stotfold and Arlesey as well as others across the region. Our closest two are within walking distance, and although small, they host a wide range of free and low-cost activities (rhyme and story times as well as lego clubs for children, plus crafts for the adults) and give members access to a large catalogue of books held in other locations.

Both also offer internet access, printing and photocopying, and Arlesey has a fax machine available for public use. Better still, the two libraries have complementary opening hours which mean that one or both is open on any given morning or afternoon from Tuesday to Saturday. Both are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

For more information about Bedfordshire’s libraries and the services they offer visit virtual-library.culturalservices.net