Library users across Oxfordshire will soon be able to borrow ten books at a time - instead of five.

The good news for readers was agreed at a cultural services committee meeting yesterday.

In the past, people visiting Oxfordshire's 50 libraries have been able to borrow five books from one library, and up to ten books on their ticket from different locations.

The move, which will come into effect in January, is part of a £250,000 investment in library services over three years to provide better opening hours, and extra books and periodicals.

County librarian Andrew Coggins said the aim was to add about ten per cent to the stock of one million books, but shelf space had to be found to accommodate new editions.

After councillors approved the Annual Library Plan, Veronica Angel, assistant county librarian, said: "This is excellent news for people using our libraries.

"We are trying to improve opening hours to restore them to the level they were at in 1998."

Opening hours at Abingdon, Didcot, Witney, Banbury and Oxford central library were restored to pre-1998 levels earlier this year.

Longer opening times are being introduced at other libraries in the county in the next few weeks.

Mrs Angel added: "Allowing people to take out ten books at once instead of five will, we hope, improve literacy.

"We are very keen that mums and children take out more books. It is never too soon to start reading books for pleasure."

A three-month programme of building repairs has closed Oxford Central Library until November 19.

As a result, Saturday opening hours have been extended at a large number of county libraries.

Michael Hugh-Jones, chairman of the Oxford Pensioners' Action group, welcomed the increased spending on periodicals but said spending in this category still fell below that of other local authorities.