Earlier this week the newly relocated Seaton Library was officiality opened.
Staff, volunteers, the Friends of the Library, local councillors and members of the local community gathered at the Marshlands Centre on Harbour Road.
To mark the occasion a volunteer from the Save Food Hub baked a cake using food from the community fridge.
The fridge is available and free to all, ensuring that food is not wasted.
In January it was announced that we had made the decision to relocate Seaton Library to the Marshlands Centre , in partnership with Seaton Town Council.
The move will significantly reduce the running costs of the library and safeguard its future in the town.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, our cabinet member responsible for libraries and rural communities said;
“I’m delighted to see the opening of our new facilities at Seaton and its relocation demonstrates our continued commitment to our public libraries with the needs of the local community at its very heart.
“The impact of our libraries on our communities has continued to grow over recent years and they are now real social and educational hubs, from creating warm and safe spaces for residents, to free Wi-Fi, adult education, children’s activities and even public health initiatives such as the blood pressure monitors which are now available to loan from every library in Devon.
“We are keen to work with communities and partners to continue to develop the local offers and opportunities for our libraries in Devon.”
Alex Kittow, Chief Executive at Libraries Unlimited, the charity commissioned to run the libraries in Devon said at the opening:
“Libraries are facing challenging times at the moment as budgets are being cut. They truly are the heart of the communities they serve and together we can ensure they are here for many generations to come enriching lives and building communities. Special mention goes to the team at Seaton Library who worked so incredibly hard on moving the library – no mean feat.
“And they have created a wonderful space here for the local community who we hope will make use of everything the library offers, which is much more than books! There are free computers, the community fridge, loads of events including films and you can now even borrow a blood pressure monitor with your library card!”