News
Children from deprived area of Devon to get a reading boost from Libraries Unlimited
Posted on 02 Sep 2024An area of East Devon which is amongst the 20% most deprived in England* with poor childhood reading outcomes** is to be targeted with a new project from Libraries Unlimited. The charity, which runs the 54 libraries across Devon and Torbay, is on a mission to close the literacy gap by empowering parents and children … Continue reading
Celebratory event marking 100 years of the Devon County Library Service
Posted on 19 Jul 2024The Devon County Library Service was launched in 1924 with the aim of providing a single county-wide service giving all residents free access to books. Before then, many of Devon’s individual community libraries were operated by subscription, aligned to institutions such as the church, or funded by individual local authorities. Since 2016, Libraries Unlimited have … Continue reading
Libraries Unlimited partnership with arts charity Honeyscribe encourages connection with nature and mental wellbeing
Posted on 08 Jul 2024Libraries Unlimited partnership with arts charity Honeyscribe encourages connection with nature and mental wellbeing A Libraries Unlimited project celebrating the importance of the natural world to people’s mental health and wellbeing has been selected as one of the best in Europe. ‘The Gatherers’ is being staged at Braunton Library and Braunton Countryside Centre throughout spring … Continue reading
Social Fabric: Textile project in Torbay libraries to create the story of local communities
Posted onSocial Fabric: Textile project in Torbay libraries to create the story of local communities Earlier this year, Libraries Unlimited commissioned Devon-based textile artist, Allegra Galvin to work on an ambitious project across Brixham, Churston, Paignton and Torquay libraries. Her proposal, Social Fabric, involved her running public workshops in which participants pieced together segments of fabric … Continue reading
Creative project reigniting the lost art of flower pressing at Braunton library chosen for European recognition
Posted on 24 May 2024Libraries Unlimited partnership with arts charity Honeyscribe encourages connection with nature and mental wellbeing. A Libraries Unlimited project celebrating the importance of the natural world to people’s mental health and wellbeing has been selected as one of the best in Europe. ‘The Gatherers’ is being staged at Braunton Library and Braunton Countryside Centre throughout spring … Continue reading
Chief Executive of Devon charity has conversation with the Queen about the importance of libraries
Posted on 17 May 2024Libraries Unlimited CEO attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace Alex Kittow, Chief Executive of Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs the libraries in Devon and Torbay, attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace yesterday (15th May 2024). The Garden Party was held in honour of the country’s Creative Industries. Of the 4500 guests, Queen … Continue reading
Centenary Celebrations: 100 years of the Devon County Library Service
Posted on 01 May 2024This year, Libraries Unlimited is celebrating 100 years of a county library service in Devon. In 1924, the County Library Service in Devon was inaugurated by the County Council with a grant from the Carnegie Trust. The Trust was founded in 1913 with the specific aim of improving well-being, and of course, the building of … Continue reading
Winners of The Secret Book Quest prize draw announced!
Posted on 25 Apr 2024Ten more dedicated young readers from across Devon and Torbay have won prizes after successfully completing The Secret Book Quest at their local library. The Secret Book Quest is a reading challenge aimed at primary school aged children but open to any child 5 years+. After signing up for free at their local library, children … Continue reading
Exciting new library programme for under-5s aims to boost children’s love of books
Posted on 05 Apr 2024An exciting new early years reading programme with stickers to collect has been launched in libraries across Devon and Torbay, aiming to inspire a lifelong love of reading. Libro’s Friends is an extension of Libraries Unlimited’s hugely successful The Secret Book Quest, which was launched in 2021. Both programmes have been created as part of … Continue reading
Bringing the outdoors in to the library
Posted on 26 Mar 2024Visitors to Barnstaple Library next month (Saturday 13th April) could be forgiven for thinking they are taking a walk in the local countryside rather than browsing the shelves for books! The library will be staging a Nature Take Over Day featuring talks, workshops, displays and a chance to participate in creating a mossy carpet artwork. … Continue reading