Charity officially opens doors to Topsham’s modern new library

Libraries Unlimited celebrated the official opening of the modern new Topsham Library on Friday 20th July within the newly opened Nancy Potter House. The multipurpose community hub, delivered by the Estuary League of Friends, offers a wide range of services and activities for the local community.

Special guests including Cllr Roger Croad, Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, Hugo Swire MP, Cllr Rob Newby and Cllr Catherine Pierce joined Libraries Unlimited Chief Executive Ciara Eastell and Julie Dent, Chair of Libraries Unlimited, together with staff members, partners, suppliers and library users to mark the official opening of the new library.

Topsham Library is one of 54 libraries in Devon and Torbay, run by Devon-based charity, Libraries Unlimited. The facility which is located within the heart of the new community hub, is now open to the public on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Full details of library opening times are available at devonlibraries.org.uk

Ciara Eastell OBE, Chief Executive of Libraries Unlimited said: “We’re really pleased to open this new library and to be able offer a much improved library for the people of Topsham and surrounding areas.  I’d like to thank all those involved in the successful opening of the new Topsham Library, including the Estuary League of Friends and our own staff. Creating welcoming spaces and encouraging a love of reading amongst members and the local community is something we’re extremely passionate about and it’s great to add Topsham to our portfolio of contemporary new libraries in Devon which we’ve been able to open during our first 2 years of Libraries Unlimited. We hope visitors enjoy this lovely new library and the wide range of events, activities, books, information and resources on offer.”

Devon County Council (DCC) is responsible for the county’s public library provision.  Councillor Roger Croad, the Council’s Cabinet Member for libraries, said: “Devon’s library service is recognised as one of the most innovative in the country and this project is an excellent example of that. Libraries have always been at the centre of communities, but this new community hub takes it a step further integrating traditional library services and modern technology with vital services and activities under a single roof.

He continued: “The Estuary League of Friends, Libraries Unlimited and all those involved in the project should be immensely proud of what has been achieved here.”

The construction of Nancy Potter House follows a successful funding bid to the Big Lottery Fund, funding from Devon County Council and valiant fundraising efforts by the Estuary League of Friends, reaching a total of £1.95million. The multipurpose hub offers 800 square meters of community space which is estimated to benefit 4,000 people from across Exeter and East Devon each year.

The library is located on the ground floor of Nancy Potter House, next door to the community café. The community hub also offers meeting rooms, exercise rooms, a day room, laundry and treatments rooms.

For more information about Devon Libraries and the new library at Topsham visit devonlibraries.org.uk, follow @DevonLibraries on Twitter and Facebook.com/Devon.Libraries