IT'S been a constant presence for generations of residents - providing them with lifelong memories of discovering treasured stories.

Now, Blackbird Leys Library is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a pledge to keep adapting to the needs of the estate so it can continue its important role for many years to come.

The library was mooted for closure in 2010 but was saved when concerned authors and residents rallied around - holding 'shhh ins' and 'read-a-thons' to show their support.

On Friday staff toasted the continued success of the much-loved library as people from its past and present gathered at a special event to mark the anniversary.

Manager Gill Manning, who has worked at the library for 24 years and has been in charge for the last four, said: "Libraries have changed. When we first opened there were a lot more books - it was part of the neighbouring school so it focused on non fiction and reference titles to help with the children's studies.

"But now we see ourselves as having a different sort of remit.

"We run a lot more 'stay and play' events for young children and we have computers people can use for free.

"Books are still at the heart of what we do but we also have to change to what society needs."

Opened in September 1968 as the Redefield Library, the site was one of the first in the country to be shared between the public and a school.

With 12,000 books, school children at Redefield - now part of Abingdon and Witney College - used the library in the mornings while general readers came in in the afternoons.

The Oxford Mail report at the time described it as a 'tremendous success' with 1,500 members signing up in the first six weeks and it was heralded by then Lord Mayor Peter Spokes as 'moving away from the orthodox limitations of a library.'

Later taken on by the county library service, the site has continued to host adult learning classes run by the college until recently.

And Ms Manning said that they still like to challenge preconceptions of what a library is - particularly regarding noise.

She said: "All the children's events are great fun.

"During the summer holidays we had craft sessions and they were generally allowed to make a bit of a mess.

"We don't do silence anymore - we prefer a happy hum."

A lot of what the library does focuses on the under fives with the most popular books borrowed including the Wimpey Kid series, adventures by David Walliams and picture books.

But it has also tried to move with the times - offering DVDs when they were popular and now audio and e-books.

Despite this, Ms Manning said that the library's overarching remit broadly hasn't changed since it was started.

She said: "Our main aim is to get people reading and to provide everyone with free books.

"In that way we will hopefully establish a habit of reading which will last people a lifetime.

"I believe the county council see the value in what we do and is determined to keep libraries open as much as possible.

"We feel we are really well-used and well-loved."