Coronavirus – Update

We are working closely with our Board of Trustees, Commissioners and Senior Management Team to manage the risks of running of our library services and activities during this widespread outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19). We believe libraries are a vital service to many people who may be isolated or vulnerable, as well as a key provider of information in a difficult time, so we are committed to staying open as long as there is no government guidance to do otherwise.

Following up to date government advice and with ongoing reviews of the situation, our plans are evolving. You will find updated news on this page and we will endeavour to provide timely updates.

Please bear with us during this unprecedented time. If you have further queries please contact your local library in the first instance or visit your local library’s web page on devonlibraries.org.uk or torbaylibraries.org.uk.

Latest News

Library Closures

Buckfastleigh Library
Now closed until further notice due to the closure of Buckfastleigh Town Hall.

Budleigh Salterton Library
Owing to staff shortages, Budleigh Salterton Library will be closed on 19th March. We apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Dartmouth Library
Now closed until further notice due to the closure of The Flavel.

FabLab (Exeter and Barnstaple) – FabLabs closed and all workshops cancelled until further notice. If you have any queries you can contact FabLabs on fablab@librariesunlimited.org.uk

Holsworthy Library
Owing to staff shortages Holsworthy Library will be closed on Thursday 19th March. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Totnes Library
Now closed until further notice due to the closure of The Mansion.

All other Devon and Torbay libraries are still open at present, and you can borrow and return your books at local libraries and use their computers with your library card. Remember you can borrow free eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines from Overdrive, RBdigital and BorrowBox. Please visit your library website to find out more.

Group activities

Further to the government advice, some group activities, particularly those targeted at vulnerable groups, will be paused as of today until further notice. Customer, staff and volunteers’ health and wellbeing is of the utmost importance to us and we believe this is the right action to take. Activities such as Bounce & Rhyme, Lego Club, Board Games will be paused. Please speak with your local library to check if a planned activity is going ahead or alternatively check devonlibraries.org.uk / torbaylibraries.org.uk. We will keep you updated as plans evolve.

Cancelled events

In line with the government briefing advising people not to attend public or group gatherings we have decided to cancel some events. If you have booked tickets for a cancelled event our library staff will be in touch, using the contact details you provided at the time of booking, to discuss refunds.
We will, of course, refund tickets but we would welcome your support if you consider donating the cost of your ticket to Libraries Unlimited charity. Your help would be valuable at this challenging time. We will keep you updated as our plans evolve.

Library Extra Sessions in Devon Libraries

Library Extra Sessions are kindly run by library volunteers and in light of the current crisis, some volunteers have selected not to continue with their regular volunteering commitments at this time. The health and wellbeing of our volunteers is important to us so the decision is to pause these sessions.

With this in mind, unfortunately the Library Extra sessions will not run for the foreseeable future at the following libraries: .

Colyton
Holsworthy
Ivybridge
Princetown
Salcombe
Topsham
Uffculme

We do hope you can visit the library during our general opening hours or alternatively you can access a wide range of our services online such as borrowing audiobooks, ebooks, eMagazines by visiting the Library Catalogue.

Library customers can review loans and renew your books via the Devon Libraries website. If you do not have online access you can renew your Devon Library books by phoning 0345 155 1001.
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Thank you for your understanding and we will update you when the Library Extra Sessions resume.