Libraries Unlimited: 10 Years A Charity

On the 23rd April 2026, we celebrated 10 years of Libraries Unlimited. We launched as a charity on World Book Night 2016, at Exeter Library with our patron Michael Morpurgo. 

Our charity emerged from Devon County Council, a new model for running the library service. As a charity, we've been able to access grants and funding to boost our offering to customers, like Arts Council England-funded low-cost creative events.   

Over the past 10 years, our libraries have had 23.5 million visits and brought communities together for 91,000 events. With customers borrowing 16.1 million physical books and 6.2 million digital reads! 

Children set out on 91,000 summer reading challenges, and we've launched The Secret Book Quest and Libro's Friends to encourage children of all ages to enjoy reading all year! Libraries Unlimited has promoted children's health and well-being initiatives in libraries from baby weigh stations, free and affordable craft workshops and family theatre to the Outdoor Explorer Club, supporting neurodiverse families to explore the outdoors. 

As a charity, Libraries Unlimited is passionate about reducing inequalities in communities. Our libraries are spaces that reduce digital inequality, improve social inclusion and champion literacy. Our free library PCs were used to access the internet 2.1 million times over the past 10 years.  

In 2026, our staff work across 54 libraries, enriching communities, supporting wellbeing, and tackling loneliness and isolation. Whether it's through library activities that build connections, business support for small local entrepreneurs, or simply giving members access to thousands of books. 

2026 has already seen Barnstaple Library win the Northern Devon Flourishing Culture Award 2026 for Literature and be named a South-West England Regional & Country Finalist for the Library of the Year. Our libraries and staff continue to strive to provide the best library service possible to the people of Devon and Torbay.