Appledore residents urged to attend public meeting on their library’s future

A public meeting is being held this Thursday (January 29) with Appledore Library set to be at the top of the agenda.

As Devon County Council continues to consult on proposed cuts to opening hours for all libraries across the region, there is concern in Appledore as its popular library faces big changes.

The county council is proposing a cut in hours from 10 to six and that means the library will be reduced from open four days a week to two mornings.

Nearby Northam Library is facing cuts of up to 75% which would see its hours cut from 21 to just six and open just two mornings a week, likely the largest proposed reduction in hours in North Devon and Torridge.

Torridge district councillors and Appledore ward members Kerry O’Rourke and Peter Hames have arranged a public meeting at Appledore Community Hall this Thursday, with doors open from 6.30pm and a 7pm start.

It is the third in a series of Appledore Residents and Councillors Meetings, where people can bring up any issues, but the library is set to dominate the agenda for this one.

Above: Appledore Library provides a variety of services including use of PCs and internet access. Credit: Kerry O’Rourke

Speaking about the proposed reductions, Cllr Hames said: “The proposed hours and days of service are totally unacceptable and are I suspect intended to ultimately close the library.

“The year 2026 is designated the National Year of Reading and Appledore hosts the internationally-known Appledore Book Festival so it is a scandal that a vital source of books is being threatened.

“We should also not forget the irreplaceable role libraries have of introducing children and young people to the joys of reading and of supporting them in this activity.”

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Cllr O’Rourke emphasised the important community role libraries play and added: “Libraries aren’t just for books. They have a variety of functions, from hosting clubs, reading groups, providing services such as blood pressure testing and warm spaces.

“Assessing library hours isn’t just to do with footfall. Torridge has one of the highest levels of deprivation in the UK and the demographic of many areas is characterised by people in the older age bands, many of whom need the facilities and community support provided by their local library.”

The county council has admitted it is facing budgetary challenges and says while no library will close, it needs to make savings.

As well as potential cuts to hours at most of Devon’s libraries, it is exploring the possibility of smaller councils or community groups taking on the running of local libraries, a model used in Cornwall.

So far, the council has had more than 14,000 responses to its consultation and there is also a dedicated survey aimed at children who use the libraries.

The consultation runs until February 22 and can be completed at https://devonlibraries.commonplace.is