North Devon library is shortlisted for library of the year award

Barnstaple Library has been shortlisted as a finalist for the South West England library of the year award.

If Barnstaple claims the regional title, it will be in the running for the national title at The British Book Awards 2026.

Last year, Braunton Library was crowned South West England’s Library of the Year. This year, only Barnstaple Library and Cornwall Libraries are up for the award in the South West.

Libraries Unlimited, the charity which runs Devon’s libraries, said Barnstaple’s library has around 170,000 annual visits and almost 700 events each year.

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The team at Barnstaple Library have thought outside the box and responded to the cost-of-living crisis by reimagining the library as a home-from-home.

This has included cosy seating, charging points, warm lighting and more, as well as securing external funding in excess of £50,000 to expand their community and wellbeing initiatives. 

The library has offered free weekly soup sessions as part of its Warm Welcome Spaces initiative, free family breakfasts during school holidays to support families with rising costs and established itself as a trusted venue for vulnerable groups such as people experiencing homelessness, isolation or domestic abuse. 

It has also forged partnerships with local organisations such as Pathfield School and held workshops, events and groups ranging from the creative and artistic, such as the national Arts Council England and DCMS project, Our Freedom: Then and Now, to the practical and connection-building like Wednesday Wanderers.

Alex Kittow, CEO at Libraries Unlimited, said: “We are incredibly proud to have Barnstaple Library receive this recognition.

“The team works so hard to create a safe, welcoming space for the local community and they truly champion people’s well-being in everything they do. It’s so inspiring to see the care, heart, and pride the staff take in creating a library that serves and enriches its community.” 

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The British Book Awards are organised by The Bookseller magazine, sponsored by DK Books in association with The Reading Agency.

The Library of the Year regional winners will be announced on March 12, who will be put forward for the national Library of the Year Award.