STAFF at Okehampton Library have hit upon a novel way to help customers celebrate Christmas this year.
In addition to their usual library books, readers may pick up an additional mystery book, all wrapped up in Christmas wrapping paper.
Susie Hewitt of Okehampton Library said: 'It's an idea that actually came up last year as part of the National Year of Reading which finished in September.
'We had so many people asking if we were going to do it again. We wanted to but didn't have time to wrap the books.
'One of our readers actually volunteered to do it, which was lovely, it was so kind.'
Mrs Hewitt said the Christmas parcels were a good way of introducing readers to new authors and different types of books they might not usually choose themselves.
An additional special offer for children is running at the library this Christmas.
The hire charge has been reduced for December and January on all children's cassette tapes.
Also for youngsters, A Christmas Treasury, a craft and story time session for children between the ages of six and ten has been arranged for December 21. Tickets should be booked in advance as numbers are limited.
Okehampton Library will close at noon on December 24 and re-open on Tuesday January 4 at 10am. The mobile library will also be off the road during this period.