Newton Abbot Library on the move

The library and learning centre in Newton Abbot is set to be re-housed while it undergoes a major multi million pound transformation.

During the 12-month redevelopment the Market Street library and learning centre will move to Teign House in Kingsteignton Road.

The Council approved plans to press ahead with the redevelopment at the end of last year, and since then has been involving the public to find out what people would like the new facility to provide.

Last week’s public consultation event was a success, with lots of people turning up to give their comments on plans for the library, discuss the proposals with library and adult learning staff to better understand the positive improvements.

The transformation will see the library become one of Devon’s new generation of libraries that will provide much more than traditional library services.

Councillor Stuart Barker explains:

"Our vision for 21st Century libraries is to create community buildings that can be used for wider purposes.

"Last week’s community engagement event in Newton Abbot resulted in valuable feedback from library users and local residents. Like us, people would like Newton Abbot’s new library to include a variety of other services, and provide improved facilities for a wider range of people.

"These included ideas about a dedicated area for young people, better space for adult and community learning and arts event, meeting rooms for local groups to use and better storage and display areas for the Railway Studies collection, which is the largest collection of railway studies material outside the National Railway Museum in York.

"We are keen to avoid any disruption to library users while the work is underway and believe that the new temporary site at Teign House will provide the perfect solution.

"I would encourage everyone to continue to use the library at its temporary location, where our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be working hard to make sure the fantastic library and learning service in Newton Abbot continues as normal during the redevelopment."

The temporary provision at Teign House will have the same opening hours as the library has now, and will continue to provide events, activities and computer access. Most learning centre classes will remain unchanged, except pottery classes which will be available at Totnes Library.

Books will be changed regularly to ensure there is a fresh selection on the shelves, and something for everyone to choose from. Devon’s full library catalogue can also be accessed online at www.devon.gov.uk/libraries. The website offers full search facilities to help people find and reserve books, films, music, audio books and more! You can even request which library to collect them from. Library members can also renew their loans online, or by calling 0845 155 1001.

The library on Market Street will close at 4pm on Saturday 28 August, and reopen at Teign House on Tuesday 31 August at 9.30am.

In order to transfer resources to the temporary facility computer access at the main library will be unavailable from Monday 23 August and the Railway Studies collection will be unavailable from Saturday 14 August. Once at Teign House access to the Railway Studies collection will be by prior appointment only on Wednesdays, Thursday mornings and Saturdays.

The Adult and Community Learning office will be closed from Monday 23 August until the library reopens at Teign House on Tuesday 31 August. Information and enrolment facilities are available online at www.devon.gov.uk/adultlearning or by calling 0845 155 1014.

All other service will continue as normal while the relocation takes place.

Subject to receiving planning permission, the Council anticipates that the library could reopen by early autumn 2011.