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Mobile library services back in Torrington after fire

Posted on 10 Aug 2022

Service announcement plus illustration of person announcing news on megaphoneMobile library vehicle on the road from mid August

Mobile library services around Torrington will be back on the road again from Thursday 11th August 2022.

A replacement library vehicle is being brought in to cover the route, after the previous vehicle was destroyed by fire in the middle of July.

Libraries Unlimited Chief Executive Alex Kittow said: “We’re so grateful and heartened by the support of local partners, the community and the dedicated work of our library staff who have pulled together to turn this devastating situation around.

“A full clean-up process has taken place to remove the burnt vehicle and to clean up the damaged area.  Our mobile library assistant has been contacting customers to keep them informed and we will do another round of calls to let them know that we are back on the road.

“Using the relief mobile library does leave our service vulnerable as this vehicle is used to cover vehicle services, MOTs, times when other vehicles need to be off the road.  We hope that we can find a permanent solution to the loss of our Torrington Mobile Library.”

The fire has been confirmed as arson by Devon and Cornwall police, who are continuing to investigate. Libraries Unlimited is working with insurers to establish the value of the loss of not only the vehicle but IT equipment, books, and damage to the building and car park area.

Kate Greaves from Torrington Library said: “Our team is really pleased to get mobile library back on the road and to resume our vital in-person library service for hundreds of customers living in our rural  communities,   across North Devon, Torridge and into West Devon.

“We are fortunate that Libraries Unlimited has a relief mobile library vehicle that can support when our mobile libraries are off the road.  It’s finished its current assignment and has been transferred to North Devon so that we can get back on the road.

“We’re in the middle of our Summer Reading Challenge and we know that many children living in the countryside are relying on us to get books to them so they can achieve their goal of reading six books across the school holidays. We’ll be really pleased to see all our customers again.”

Libraries Unlimited would like to thank the community for the many offers of financial support and book donations that they have received. There will be further updates on fundraising plans once they’re finalised.  For the time being donations to support library services across Devon and Torbay can be made through the website, the main focus has been getting this service back on the road.

Many kind offers of book donations have been received and if you wish to support in this way Libraries Unlimited welcome donations of high quality, nearly new books.  All book donations will be sold to support Libraries Unlimited, your local charity responsible for running the public library service in Devon and Torbay.  Please drop your book donations at your local library.

As an emergency measure books have been renewed automatically to cover this mobile library temporarily being off the road.  Customers can also use online services to access eBooks and eAudiobooks, renew books and browse at devonlibraries.org.uk or via the Libraries Unlimited App.

Libraries Unlimited believes…

…in the unlimited potential of library services to make a positive difference to people’s lives and communities through a shared love of reading and access to high quality information and facilities.