County calls on town and parish councils to step up for Devon’s libraries

Town and parish councils across Devon are being urged to play their part in the future of the county’s 50 libraries, as Devon County Council’s consultation on proposed changes to opening hours continues.

Councillor Cheryl Cottle‑Hunkin, cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, has written to town and parish councils outlining the financial pressures facing the service and highlighted the need to build a long‑term, sustainable model.

DCC says the library service budget has ‘reduced in real terms’ while costs to deliver the service have risen year on year.

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

Although savings have been made, Cllr Cottle-Hunkin has said the current model is no longer sustainable.

Writing this week to the local councils, she said: “The consultation is your opportunity to help shape the future of your local libraries. Your insight into the needs and priorities of your community is invaluable.”

Cllr Cottle-Hunkin has been a keen long-term campaigner in support of libraries, even before becoming a county councillor, including efforts to try and save the former mobile library service.

She added: “Devon’s libraries are trusted spaces at the heart of our communities, and we remain committed to keeping all 50 libraries open.

“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.

“We’ve seen this technology used successfully in other parts of the country to extend opening hours, improve access, and offer more flexibility for residents.

“We’ve also looked at how other authorities, such as Lincolnshire and Cornwall, manage a mix of council-run and community-led libraries to help inform our thinking.

“This consultation will play a key role in shaping the long-term future of the library service, and we want to hear directly from everyone – residents, young people, library users and community groups so we can work together on a sustainable future for Devon’s libraries.”

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The public consultation has so far received around 14,000 responses, including those to a dedicated younger library users’ survey aimed at 13 to 17 year olds.

The consultation runs until Sunday, February 22. Forms can be completed online, at local libraries, or returned by post. Paper and online copies are available in every library.

DCC says all the responses will be reviewed before revised proposals are presented to its cabinet in the spring.

You can view the full proposals on cuts to opening hours at all North Devon and Torridge libraries and take part in the consultation at https://devonlibraries.commonplace.is