Devon libraries could see their hours cut if new proposals go through

Most libraries in North Devon and Torridge are facing reduced opening hours or will be closed on extra days if proposals put forward by Devon County Council go ahead.

The council has launched a 12-week public consultation for both adults and children which runs until February 22 and will affect the future of all 50 libraries in Devon, though the council has said no libraries would close.

It is proposing to reduce and ‘standardise’ opening hours as well as looking at options to extend opening hours through additional volunteering by using technology and possibly handing libraries over to the community to manage.

The county’s libraries are run by the charity Libraries Unlimited on behalf of the council but the council says it is facing ‘mounting financial pressures’ and it must look at how the service is delivered.

It said with the library budget reduced year-on-year, it would have to make savings as the service can no longer be provided in its current format.

The proposals will mean some libraries will see a cut in their opening hours, while others such as village libraries will keep the same hours but see those spread over fewer days of opening.

For example, in Torridge it is being proposed to reduce Bideford Library hours from 38 to 34.5 a week, while Appledore Library would see its hours down from 10 to six a week and it would only be open on Thursday and Saturday.

In North Devon, Barnstaple Library’s hours would go from 52 a week to 43.5, while Braunton would be reduced from 21 to 15 and only open three days a week. Combe Martin Library would go from 10 to six hours and only open Wednesday and Saturday. Ilfracombe would go from 33 to 27 hours and be closed Mondays in addition to its current Wednesday closure.

Devon County Council says last year all 50 libraries welcomed 2.6million visits and hosted more than 14,000 events, ranging from children’s story sessions to digital skills workshops.

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But it says although digital borrowing of e-books, audiobooks and e-magazines has grown, physical book borrowing is below pre-pandemic levels.

The consultation is also seeking views on the use of volunteers and community managed libraries, where local organisations could take on day-to-day running with support from the authority and Libraries Unlimited. A similar model already runs in Cornwall.

Councillor Cheryl Cottle Hunkin, cabinet member for libraries, said they remained committed to keeping all 50 libraries open.

But she said: “As the way people use libraries continues to change, this consultation is an important chance to rethink and update the service, so it better reflects how people use libraries now and how they hope to use them in the future.

“By making sensible use of new technology, we can support libraries to develop further as community hubs, giving local people and organisations more opportunities to make good use of their library spaces.”

Alex Kittow, chief executive of Libraries Unlimited, said: “Libraries are absolutely vital community spaces offering everything from books to blood pressure monitors, repair cafes to baby weighing, community fridges to low-cost cinema and much more besides.

“Crucially they are spaces to come and be and connect with others, where everyone is welcome and it doesn’t cost any money to join.

“Our responsibility is to protect these spaces and ensure they continue to exist long into the future. This consultation offers a way to do this, and we encourage everyone to have their say.”

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But former North Devon MP Selaine Saxby has been highly critical of the proposals and said libraries were ‘a cornerstone’ of communities.

She added: “Reducing hours or closing libraries will have a disproportionate impact on rural communities across Devon.

“For many market towns and villages, the library is the last remaining warm, safe and free public space. It functions as a vital social lifeline, combating loneliness and providing necessary human contact, especially for the elderly and isolated residents.

“Any withdrawal of council support in these areas will lead directly to severe digital exclusion. Libraries often provide the only free access to computers and broadband, allowing residents - many of whom cannot afford home internet - to apply for jobs, access critical government services, and stay connected.

“Transitioning to a fully volunteer-run model or 'community hub' status without robust, guaranteed funding is effectively an abrogation of responsibility by the Liberal Democrat run county council and risks cutting off our most vulnerable citizens entirely.”

Adults and children can take part in the public consultation, find out more about the proposals and see the specific proposed opening hours for every Devon library at https://devonlibraries.commonplace.is