Brand new Topsham Library opens its doors

Topsham Library, run by Devon-based charity Libraries Unlimited, has moved to Topsham’s brand new community hub, Nancy Potter House, alongside The Estuary League of Friends.

The multipurpose community hub, built by The Estuary League of Friends, will offer a wide range of services and activities for the local community, including the contemporary new library, a café, day room, wet rooms and laundry as well as conference, training, exercise and treatment rooms for hire for business and private functions.

Devon County Council is responsible for the county’s public library provision. Councillor Roger Croad, the Council’s Cabinet Member for libraries, said: “This is great news for the service and great news for library users in the area.  The new building, which Devon County Council has helped pay for, is an excellent venue for the library service; right in the heart of the community alongside a range of other public services.”

The modern library, delivered by Libraries Unlimited as part of its network of Devon Libraries, has been kitted out with exciting new books and resources, a colourful children’s area, new IT equipment and will host a range of events and activities for people of all ages.

The new library will be open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week, including ‘library extra’ sessions run by volunteers. All library opening times are available at www.devonlibraries.org.uk

Nancy Potter House will provide 800 square metres of community space to be used by an estimated 4,000 people from parts of Exeter and East Devon each year. The hub will be home to a wide range of health and social care services, educational and social activities, and volunteering opportunities for all the community. 

Topsham Library reopened its doors to the public on Monday 2nd July at 2pm. The new library is a contemporary and welcoming space, providing free access to a world of information, and a team of staff and volunteers ready to inspire a love of reading.

Ciara Eastell OBE, Chief Executive of Libraries Unlimited said: “We are really thrilled to open our fourth brand-new library in Devon, and look forward to welcoming people to the new space to see what we have on offer. The library itself and the new community building will provide a range of brilliant new services and activities for local people and we’re very pleased that the library is part of this exciting new community-focussed development.

We would like to thank the residents of Nelson Close Community Centre, who kindly housed the temporary Topsham Library whilst Nancy Potter House was being built. We look forward to working closely with The Estuary League of Friends and welcoming new and existing library users to our brand new facility.”

For more information visit www.devonlibraries.org.uk, follow @DevonLibraries on Twitter and Facebook.com/Devon.Libraries or visit your local library.