A NOVELIST whose spectacular fictional version of Swindon has put him on the literary map is heading to the new library – along with thousands of other people.

Jasper Fforde presents a bizarre version of Swindon in his best-selling series of Thursday Next books.

Now the author has been confirmed as a special guest visiting the town’s new multi-million pound Central Library, which opened a week ago.

He will deliver a talk at the library on, appropriately enough, Thursday next, in which he will discuss his books and their portrayal of the alternative Swindon.

And he is not the only one heading for the new library. More than 10,000 people have passed through the doors of the new building since it first opened.

That is more than double the number of visitors in a typical week at the former temporary central library, in the Paramount Building.

Coun Justin Tomlinson, Swindon Council’s cabinet member for leisure, culture and recreation, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that so many people have already found the time to visit Swindon’s new central library.

“Judging from the feedback we have received so far, people are thrilled with the building which has so much to offer in terms of both its design and contents.

“It is fantastic that Jasper Fforde is visiting the facility.

“I’m sure he will be the first of many authors to enjoy the impressive surroundings, which are creating a real buzz about town.”

The new building boasts 77,000 books and has more than 60 free-to-use computers spread over three floors.

Thanks to a new feature – the Express Zone – it is open an extra 24 hours a week, giving early morning and late-night weekday opening until 10pm.

For the first time, the library is also open for four hours on Sundays.

The author will talk about his books on Thursday, November 6, at 7.30pm in the new facility’s reading room.

The event is free but tickets are limited and now available on a first come, first served basis, at the Help Point on the second floor of the building.