Our Patrons

Our Charity

Our patrons play a vital role in helping us extend the reach and impact of our work, ensuring that everyone can access the knowledge, resources, and support that libraries provide.

Our patrons are a valued group of supporters who champion the transformative potential of libraries. Their support helps us to innovate, to deliver life-changing services, and to create welcoming spaces where learning, creativity, and opportunity flourish.

Patrons

Robin Ince

Robin is a comedian and author and is perhaps best known as co-host of the Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage with Professor Brian Cox, which popularises scientific ideas.

He also co-hosts the podcast Book Shambles with Josie Long, An Uncanny Hour and Science Shambles with Dr Helen Czerski. He has authored books on humour, humanity, scientific curiosity and bibliomania. Described by The Guardian as a ‘becardiganed polymath’, what marks Robin out is his warmth, humanity and humour, and most importantly, his passionate advocacy of libraries.

Visit robinince.com >>

I’m with Carl Sagan – libraries are a mark of civilisation – I travel across the UK and beyond and wherever I go I find the library and look, more often than not, in awe. Libraries are so much more than the old-fashioned idea of ‘shush and read’ now, they are such active places.

From the first time I visited Exeter Central Library, I saw what a thriving place of activity and support it was, and Libraries Unlimited manage this in all of the libraries in Devon and Torbay. Libraries are the true safe place and destination of curiosity, and I am so delighted to be a patron of a library charity that is doing so much to elevate celebrate and keep libraries alive.

Robin Ince

Anna Turns

Anna is a Devon-based environmental journalist, author, and broadcaster. Her new BBC radio series, Secrets of the Sea, explores how Westcountry marine scientists are tackling global challenges like overfishing, climate change, and sea level rise.

She is senior environment editor at The Conversation UK, a charity that helps make academic research accessible to wider audiences. Anna has presented BBC Radio 4’s Costing the Earth and published her book Go Toxic Free in 2022. Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, BBC Future, and other national outlets, often focusing on climate change, renewable energy, marine conservation, and sustainable food systems.

She has joined Libraries Unlimited as a patron at a key time, as we have just announced a £1.5million climate project ‘Together for Tomorrow’, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.  

Visit environmentaljournalist.co.uk >>

As a biologist, writer and mother, I’m passionate about nature connection and ocean literacy. Just simply stepping onto the seashore to explore a tiny rockpool or reading a coastal-inspired book can spark a lifelong interest in the ocean, so I’m incredibly excited to be a patron for Libraries Unlimited at a time when seas and storytelling combine in this summer’s project and hopefully beyond. By creating sustainability hubs at Devon’s community libraries, we can also make even more of a difference by working together as a collective.

Anna Turns

Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve

Philip Reeve began his career as an illustrator and then went into writing; he is best known as the author of the critically acclaimed Mortal Engines series, which was adapted into a major feature film, and has recently written the Utterly Dark trilogy. Sarah McIntyre started out as an illustrator but has both written and illustrated many picture books including the Grumpycorn books, The New Neighbours and Dinosaur Firefighters.  

Together they have collaborated on a number of highly illustrated books for younger readers, including the hugely popular Oliver and the Seawigs, Pugs of the Frozen North, and their newest series, Adventuremice. Philip and Sarah come up with the story and rough illustrations together, then Philip does most of the writing, and Sarah does the final artwork. 

Reeve and McIntyre have been long-time supporters of libraries in the South West, regularly visiting schools and libraries across the region to run workshops, give talks, and meet young readers. Their patronage comes at a time when the importance of reading for pleasure is under the spotlight. Recent government figures show that only 1 in 3 children aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time in 2025 – the lowest level in a generation. 

Visit philipreeve.com >>
Visit jabberworks.co.uk >>

Libraries can be such wonderful hubs for families – the perfect place to take children and read to them or be read to. We’d love to encourage parents, grandparents, carers and older siblings to explore libraries as portals to amazing worlds and adventures they can share.

Sarah McIntyre

We’re delighted to be supporting libraries in Devon and helping to encourage a love of books in younger readers

Philip Reeve

Veronica Henry

Veronica Henry, author of over twenty-five novels, including the much-loved Beach Hut series set in North Devon, Veronica brings a deep personal connection to libraries and a lifelong love of stories. 

Before becoming a novelist, Veronica worked in television as a script editor and writer for iconic British series including Crossroads, Heartbeat and Holby City. Her storytelling skills and evocative writing have earned her wide recognition and acclaim, both in the UK and internationally. 

Based in Woolacombe, North Devon, Veronica is a familiar face to library users in the region. She has recently taken part in events at Tiverton and Barnstaple Libraries, and her support as a patron will help Libraries Unlimited raise awareness, advocate for public libraries, and inspire readers of all ages. 

Visit veronicahenry.co.uk >>

As an Army child, whenever we moved somewhere new, I would seek out the nearest library,” says Veronica. “They were always a place of huge comfort to me as I settled into a strange new town… It was there I learned my craft, tucked away in a corner, absorbed in the pages, completely transported. To be a Patron of Libraries Unlimited is the perfect way to pay back the inspiration I got from libraries over the years

Veronica Henry

Michael Morpurgo OBE

Michael Morpurgo has written over 130 books, including 'The Butterfly Lion', 'Kensuke's Kingdom', 'Why the Whales Come', 'The Mozart Question', 'Shadow'. His book 'War Horse' was adapted as a hugely successful stage production by the National Theatre and then, in 2011, for a film directed by Steven Spielberg. Michael was awarded the OBE for his writing in 2006. His latest novels are 'Boy Giant' (HarperCollins), 'The Puffin Keeper' (Puffin) and the picture books 'Owl and Pussycat' (David Fickling Books) and 'Song of Gladness' (Macmillan).

Michael is a long-standing champion of libraries and children's literacy. He has consistently spoken out about the vital role libraries play in education and imagination. From backing community initiatives to national advocacy, Michael remains committed to making books and reading accessible to all children. 

Visit michaelmorpurgo.com >>

Books should be available to all, free at the point of delivery. Only then can young lives be turned around, horizons widened, understanding and empathy deepened. Libraries and particularly the librarians who work in them, whether in schools or in the community, are essential if we are to do this, for us all, but especially for those who need them most: those with least, young and old.

Michael Morpurgo