NEWTON ABBOT LIBRARY
| Published: 14th November 2006 14:55 |
1904 – 2004
The library was opened in August 1904 following a gift to the community by John Passmore Edwards. The architect responsible for the design was a Mr Sylvanus Trevail who had previously designed many other institutions for Mr Edwards.
It stands on the corner of Market Street/Highweek Street and there is a car park conveniently nearby.
I was shown around this beautiful building by the head librarian Mrs Linda Rowland Howe, and was very impressed with the scope and range of the services they offer.
The library is the main focus of any town and Newton Abbot is no exception.
There is a great deal that this library can offer to the community beyond that of a good selection of books!
There is an on-line information service with publications such as Which magazine, British Standards, Blacks Medical dictionary to name but a few
Besides offering a large selection of book such as Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction, Biographies, Large Print books for the visually impaired, and a reference section, the library also loans out DVDs, videos, CDs and talking books for the Blind.
Please note that there is no fee charged for the loan of the talking books for the Blind.
Other services they have to offer are a Fax machine, a Photocopier a Microfiche/film reader, a Community Notice board, Newspapers, Language courses and a Reference Library.
The library also offers the use of computers which are available to the public for internet access. This is free of charge for the first half hour – thereafter the charge is £1.50 for each half hour after that. This is a very useful service for those who haven’t access to a computer.
For those who prefer to use their computer - you can renew your books on line, reserve books, videos and DVDs and view your borrower record.
All you have to do is go to www.devon.gov.uk/libaries and select the link to Library Catalogue, and follow the prompts. You will need a PIN number which you can obtain from a member of staff at the library.
There is a Railway’s Studies Collection within the library which is the second largest in the country. The specially designated librarian, Cheryl Healey, is on hand to help with this.
The collection covers all aspects of railways and contains a wide range of material of interest to railway and social historians. As well as providing information of standard gauge railways, the collection caters for other key area of interest such as:
Broad gauge
Narrow gauge
Industrial lines
Miniature
Underground
Preservation
Enquiries in person or by telephone are most welcome during the collection’s opening hours (see below).
Wednesday 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Thursday 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.
Saturday 9.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
Please note that on Saturdays the Railway Collection is manned by volunteers.
Once a month Age Concern hold the Eagle Clinic where they provide the use of a solicitor (free of charge) for the elderly.
There is an adult book club where people can get together to discuss and review a particular book.
There is also an occasional poetry evening.
It is worth mentioning that the WRVS run a mobile library for the housebound within our community and they are looking for more volunteer help. If you think you could give a few hours of your time, please call in at the library or give them a call.
FOR THE CHILDREN
The library has a specially designated area for the little ones which is bright and cheerful and decorated with childrens' pictures.
They hold such activities such as:
Book Crawl - a free reading scheme for very young readers. Simply collect a sticker on each visit to the library and receive a different illustrated certificate for each 5 visits.
Bounce and Rhyme Times for babies and their parents or carers. They sing songs and nursery rhymes, bounce and shout and generally have a great time! The activities help develop confidence, co-ordination, listening and social skills in your child and are a great chance to give them some fun exercise. This is held on Thursdays 10 a.m. – 10.30 a.m. (term time only).
Story time this is for pre-school children. It is a lovely half hour of fun stories. It will help your child’s love of books to develop. An opportunity to meet other parents and choose some nice books to take home. This is held on Wednesdays 2.15 p.m. to 2.45 p.m. (term time only).
Book Track which is an activity run for children to encourage and support them in their leisure reading. It is recommended for confident readers from 6 years and over. Children are given a personal folder where they can record the books they read. At key points throughout their reading they are awarded badges and stickers as incentives and for those who read 100 books, there is a gold badge in recognition of their achievement.
Book Track is for all children who like reading and enjoy sharing ideas about books.
Newts Book Club which is a themed monthly reading group for children aged 7 plus. The children can take part in fun games, quizzes and discussions focusing on a different book each month. This is held every four weeks on a Saturday
Half-Term/Holiday Activities – check in the library for details of holiday events. The varied programme can include craft sessions, visiting performers and authors, book promotion and participation in nationwide reading schemes.
There will be some planned Christmas activies - details nearer the time.
Do call in at the library whilst you are in town to see for yourself what they have to offer. The library's opening hours are as follows:
Monday 9.30 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.
Tuesday 9.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.
Wednesday 9.30 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.
Thursday 9.30 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.
Friday 9.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Saturday 9.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Market Street
Newton Abbot
TQ12 2RJ
Tel: 01626 206422
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