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Offering everyone a warm welcome  

Posted on 17 Oct 2024

Now that the colder months have arrived, our libraries across Devon and Torbay are excited to launch Cold Days, Warm Libraries once again. Starting in October, 37 libraries will be participating with specific activities, and all will continue to be safe, warm, and friendly spaces for everyone. 

Everyone is welcome, whether it’s to enjoy a cuppa, a good read, or a community activity such as Knit and Natter, bounce and rhyme, breakfast clubs or a scrabble group. Even if it’s just for an hour or two, consider using our warm and welcome libraries to reduce your energy consumption this year. 

Some libraries are welcoming donations of clean, warm coats, clothing, and accessories for their Coat Rails. Anyone can also take an item of clothing for free, no questions asked.  

Community fridges and hygiene banks in a number of libraries are also appealing for tins and non-perishable, in-date food, as well as unopened hygiene products. Libraries will also be working with local food waste groups to stock up, supporting recycling and preventing food going to landfill.   

Our Health and Wellbeing Manager, Beth Harris, says, “Everyone deserves to feel safe and warm, but sadly we know this isn’t always the case. Please know that our libraries across Devon and Torbay will always be a welcome space for you to come in for free, with no obligations and no questions asked. We have comfy chairs, cosy nooks, hot drinks, engaging activities, and of course, a whole host of reading materials for you to enjoy.” 

Activities and services across multiple libraries include: 

  • Coat rails of donated clothing in Churston, Torquay, Paignton, Newton Abbot, Chudleigh, Tavistock, Totnes, Ivybridge, Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Bideford, Tiverton, Seaton, Teignmouth, Exmouth, Exeter, Lynton and Clyst Vale libraries  
  • Community Fridges/Larders in Tiverton, Seaton, Honiton, Crediton and Tavistock libraries  
  • Free warm drinks in many libraries  
  • Hygiene banks offering stocks of donated shampoo, toothpaste, tampons and body wash 
  • School uniform swaps to help families save money and resources  
  • Gentle exercise classes aimed at keeping visitors warm and healthy 
  • Weekly clubs from Lego to knitting – there’s something for everyone  

A huge thanks to our supporters, sponsors and partners of whom have helped make this happen, included in those are Ikea, Willmott Dixon, Julian House, Torrington Town and Lands, Honiton Town Council, Devon County Council and our library Friends Groups.  

Willmott Dixon have kindly sponsored the weekly breakfast clubs happening at Torquay Library alongside additional coat rails and staff time to help out. Julian House, who run a range of accommodation and support services across the South West, have supported with coat donations for those most in need, aligning with their mission to support people who have been forced to live on the edges of society.  

All 54 libraries are open as warm and welcoming spaces. But 37 are also offering further services and activities.  

Participating libraries and offerings include:  

Axminster – warm drinks 

Barnstaple – warm drinks, soup/food, coat rail  

Bideford – warm drinks, soup/food, coat rail 

Bovey Tracy – warm drinks  

Brixham – monthly breakfast clubs 

Churston – coat rail, warm drinks, biscuits, soups, school uniform swap  

Clyst Vale – coat rail  

Colyton – warm drinks  

Combe Martin – warm drinks, biscuits  

Crediton – warm drinks, community fridge 

Dawlish – warm drinks, biscuits  

Exeter – coat rail 

Exmouth – warm drinks, coat rail  

Holsworthy – warm drinks 

Honiton – warm drinks, community fridge 

Ilfracombe – warm drinks and biscuits, hygiene bank, coat rail, Saturday breakfast club for children 

Ivybridge – coat rail & Monday – Lego club for grown ups, Tuesday – Scrabble club, Thursday – Knit and natter, Friday – Book groups / colouring for adults.  

Kingsbridge – coat rail, warm drinks  

Kingsteignton – warm drinks, biscuits  

Lynton – warm drinks, biscuits, coat rail  

Newton Abbot & Chudleigh – coat rail, warm drinks, hygiene bank, soup/other food, school uniform swap, gentle exercise classes for keeping warm and healthy 

Northam – warm drinks 

Okehampton – warm drinks 

Ottery St Mary – warm drinks, snacks  

Paignton – warm rail  

Princetown – warm drinks  

Salcombe – warm drinks 

Seaton – coat rail, warm drinks, community fridge 

South Molton – warm drinks, hygiene bank  

St Thomas – warm drinks  

Tavistock – warm drinks, coat rail, hygiene bank, community fridge 

Teignmouth – warm drinks, food, coat rail  

Tiverton – coat rail, hot drinks, community fridge, cakes (starting in the New Year) 

Torquay – coat rail, warm drinks, soup/food, school uniform swap   

Torrington – warm drinks, cake  

Totnes – coat rail, warm drinks  

So, whether you’re popping by for a cosy read, an activity, a community group, or just a friendly face, you’re always welcome at our libraries. We’re here to support you this winter. 

If you find yourself in need, remember – you are never alone. Your library is here for you – warm, welcoming and here for life.   

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.