Exciting future for Topsham Library
Devon County Council’s Library Service has reached a long awaited milestone with the transfer of its building in Topsham to the Estuary League of Friends.
The community group were keen to respond to a growing need for their services in the area by providing a modern fit for purpose community hub in a central location and approached the Council in 2013 to discuss the opportunity of working together to redevelop Topsham Library into a wider community facility.
The move means the Council no longer owns the building, but will continue to manage the library service with its professional staff, supported by Estuary League of Friends volunteers.
As well as the budget savings associated with not having to maintain the building, the transfer means the facility can better meet the needs of the community with existing and new services, other community activities and the library, all under the one roof.
To mark the change the building has undergone minor refurbishment and redecoration, which has been carried out free of charge by Midas as part of their community service programme.
The Midas team spent a week at the library as part of its annual Community Engagement Week, which aims to support initiatives in the communities it works within.
They have been busy painting, cleaning, removing rubbish and materials, as well as refurbishing the library’s kitchen area.
The Council have also installed self service machines and plan to offer increased opening hours in the near future.
Ciara Eastell, Head of Devon County Council Library Service, said: “Our library service is recognised as one of the most innovative in the country, and this partnership with the Estuary League of Friends is another example of how we are working hard to grow our service rather than contract at this time of significant austerity.
“Enthusiastic groups like the Estuary League of Friends have a vital role to play in securing a strong and sustainable future for our library service. Their active involvement in supporting and improving the services on offer mean we can better meet the needs of communities now and for years to come.
“It has taken almost two years to get to this stage, but that is because it has never been done before. The process will now serve as a model for other communities in Devon and provided learning that will prove valuable in our plans to set up an independent community-owned ‘mutual ‘to run the all of the county’s libraries.”
Rachel Gilpin, chief executive of the Estuary League of Friends, said: “We’re grateful for the time and effort that Midas staff have donated over the past week to help us keep the current library operational and looking good for the local community.
"This is the first library to be co-delivered by a local community charity and its volunteers, so this sort of help is invaluable as we work towards our ultimate goal of developing a new building fit for the future.”
Steve Hindley, chairman of The Midas Group, said: “Helping out in our local communities is something we take very seriously, and staff were keen to work with the Estuary League of Friends volunteers on this groundbreaking community initiative. We were happy to help, and wish the Friends the very best of luck in realising their vision for a new library and hub for the community in Topsham.”
